PEOPLE ARE BEING warned to be alert against a phishing scam involving fraudulent emails and texts purporting to come from the Revenue Commissioners.
Emails with the subject line “tax refund” – which are claiming to be from Revenue – are seeking out people’s debit and credit card details.
The Revenue Commissioners is asking anyone who receives an email or text message purporting to be from Revenue and suspects it to be fraudulent or a scam to forward it to webmaster@revenue.ie and then delete it.
A phishing scam is where bogus emails are sent to people in order to trick them into revealing personal or financial information.
Those who may have provided personal information in response to these fraudulent emails or text messages are being advised to contact their bank or credit card company immediately.
Bogus emails
“They are bogus and are not being issued by the Revenue Commissioners,” said Communications Minister Denis Naughten.
“Revenue never sends emails or text messages requiring people to send their personal information over email, text or by any other unsecure means,” he added.
“This is a common type of email scam where those who receive it are told they are eligible to receive a tax refund. It presents a link to an online claim form, which asks for personal and financial information, including bank account details.
“Anyone who may be actually awaiting a tax refund should contact their local Revenue Office to check its status. Emails and text messages purporting to be from Revenue must not be opened or responded to,” urged the minister, who said people must remain vigilant against cyber criminals.
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