An Garda Síochána have issued an alert about a text message scam which is targeting people's personal bank accounts.

Gardaí and the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) are advising consumers to be aware of the text message or 'smishing' scam.

Victims receive a text appearing to be from their bank, asking them to confirm personal details or click on links to unfreeze their account.

The focus of the criminals in this latest scam is to get personal information that will allow them to steal money from bank accounts.

Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Lordan said: "Banks and other financial entities will never make unsolicited contact with individuals asking for personal details, account numbers, four-digit pin number or passwords."

A man texting on a mobile phone

He warned: "People receiving unsolicited communications looking for these personal details should not reply to text messages, emails or other communications.

"They should contact their bank independently to check on the validity of the communications they have received before taking any action".

The message will imitate a text from your bank, and typically ask you to click on a link to a website to "verify", "update" or to "reactivate" your account.

It may also ask you to reply to the text message with personal or financial information, or to click on a link to website.

If it includes a link, the website is a fake one.

The website will then attempt to get you to disclose personal or financial information.

If clicked on, Gardaí say it could also download dangerous software - or 'malware' - to a computer or mobile device.

Often the text will create a sense of urgency to make people act without thinking - i.e. their money is in danger or their account will be frozen.