Have you received an official-looking text?

If so, make sure you double-check the content before clicking on any links – the Department of Social Protection has warned the public about a sophisticated text scam that’s doing the rounds this week.

“The Department of Social Protection has become aware that some members of the public have received text messages on their mobile phones from an unknown number, purporting to be from the department.” said a spokesperson.

“These text messages contain web links which the member of the public is told to click on. These web links are made to look similar to the actual web addresses of departmental sites.”

When a person clicks on the link in such text messages, they are brought to a site that has been specifically crafted to look exactly like the department’s MyWelfare or MyGovID websites. The person is then asked to provide their Name, PPSN and Bank Account details.

“These are sophisticated scams. We urge our customers to be cautious when managing claims online and to ensure that they are using official departmental websites.” added the spokesperson.

The real website addresses for MyWelfare.ie and MyGovID services are:

• www.mywelfare.ie or https://www.mywelfare.ie or https://services.mywelfare.ie
• www.mygovid.ie or https://www.mygovid.ie

“Please do not click on or reply to links which appear suspicious, or are not one of the above links.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection wishes to make it absolutely clear that we NEVER request bank account or other financial institution account details from our customers by SMS or on social media. Neither do we clarify or check this information over the phone.”

Anyone who thinks they provided personal information in response to these fraudulent text messages should contact their bank immediately.