UNFORTUNATELY, SCAM CALLS and texts can be difficult to identify, and research has shown that large portions of the Irish population have been affected by fraudulent and unsolicited communications.

According to ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation, scammers are constantly refining their strategies when it comes to parting people from their money. With the advent of AI, scams are only becoming more credible and more advanced, which means it is important to remain vigilant and not be misled by scammers into revealing personal or sensitive information.

To help protect consumers and businesses, ComReg has been working with the telecommunications industry to implement several anti-scam interventions, in order to help restore trust in the Irish telecommunications network. 

ComReg has also issued advice to the public on how they can keep themselves safe from scammers, including:

• If a caller pressures you, claims urgent action is needed, or threatens negative consequences, you should always hang up immediately. 
• If a call or text message claims to be from a bank, government agency or a company you know, do not immediately engage. Look up their official contact details to verify the number before going any further. 
• Always check messages for things like spelling errors or other incorrect details. 
• Block a number if they persistently call you or engage in suspicious behaviour.
• If you have friends or relatives abroad, store their numbers in your phone so you’ll know whether calls from foreign numbers are from somebody you know and trust before you answer. 
• If you are getting persistent scam calls from a number, contact your service provider and request the number be blocked.

Additionally, ComReg has published a helpful list of things you should not do when it comes to receiving communications from potentially dubious sources. These include:

• Never provide any personal information, such as bank details, PPS number, credit card details, name and address, passport numbers or passwords over the phone, by text or by email. 
• Never follow instructions from a recorded message. 
• Be wary of receiving multiple calls or missed calls from the same unfamiliar number.  Do not call back any number that you do not recognise or where no voicemail message was left.
• If you click on a link from a text before realising that it’s a scam, close the web page and message immediately.
• Do not download any unrecognised software or programmes.

Remember the acronym S-C-A-M, when you receive a call or text you are not sure about:

S – Stop! – Take a moment. Don’t rush to respond to calls or texts that seem urgent.

C – Check – Do you recognise the number? Are there spelling mistakes?

A – Avoid – Don’t answer the call, or click on links in texts. 

M – Mark it as spam, then block. Don’t engage further.

Visit ComReg.ie for further information on how to take practical steps to Stay Scam Safe.