Gardaí will never ask for your bank account details.

That’s the latest warning from An Garda Síochána following a number of recent attempted fraud incidents where scammers impersonated Gardaí to obtain personal information such as bank account details and/or PPS numbers.

People targeted by the scammers have received a phone call from a number similar to the Garda Confidential Line stating they are investigating fraud activity or a crime and require details to progress the investigation.

The phone call comes from 0-1800-666-111. The actual Garda Confidential Line number is 1800-666-111 and does not make outgoing calls.

In another version of the scam, a person or automated message tells the victim there is a warrant out for their arrest. To prevent further action they are asked to make a payment.

“Gardaí will never contact you out of the blue over the phone and request your bank account details,” said Crime Prevention Officer for the Cork City Garda Division, Sergeant Brian McSweeney.

“If you are cold-called from someone saying they are a member of An Garda Síochána and they are looking for bank details or your PPS number, ask them for their credentials and ring their Garda station to verify. Do not ring a number they give you as being that Garda station. Go to the Garda website and look up the station phone number.

“Whilst the scammers may change their stories or methods, their goal is always the same – they want to access your sensitive information. Never give out your information, be it over the phone, text or email.”