DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has issued a warning about online scams falsely claiming to offer accommodation under the Government’s housing schemes.

The council said it had been made aware of fraudulent messages and social media posts purporting to come from Housing for All or “Ireland’s Housing Plan”.

According to the council, the scam uses the Housing for All name and the HFA acronym while encouraging members of the public to contact the group via WhatsApp to access so-called “free housing benefits”.

Officials have urged people not to engage with the messages.

“We strongly advise that you do not engage with this scam in any way, including responding to messages, clicking links, or sharing personal information,” a statement from the Council warned.

Anyone approached by an entity claiming to be from the Government and seeking details or payment relating to housing is advised to report the matter to gardaí.

Members of the public who may have already shared information with scammers are also advised to contact their bank or relevant organisations to alert them that their data may have been compromised.

The warning follows similar alerts from the Department of Housing about fraudulent posts claiming links to State housing schemes.