Gardaí are warning the public of the latest 'social media enabled' fraud, which is targeting bank customers.
They say the goal of the fraudsters is to deceive victims into parting with their money or to reveal details of their bank accounts or credit cards.
According to the force, bank customers being targetted with advertisements on Facebook that encourage people to click on a link and enter login details.
Once the fraudster has received the customers' details through the fake login page, they can take control of the real account and add a new 'beneficiary' to whom money can be transferred.
While the customer will receive a code - by automated SMS or text - to authorise the addition of the beneficiary, the code can be captured by the fraudster through the fake site or stolen via malware installed on the customer's phone or computer.
Once the fraudster has all the details, the bank account can be emptied within minutes.
Gardaí say the warning signs are social media ads offering 'rewards' to people who reveal their bank account or credit card details.
'Stop and think'
Detective Chief Superintendent Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said members of the public need to stop and think when they see such ads.
He explained: "Be very weary of advertisements offering a ‘reward’ that leads you to a situation where you have to reveal your financial details, even if it appears to be a genuine Bank website
"Do not click on links in the advertisement
"Check with the bank or other organisation apparently offering the ‘reward’ by searching for that bank or organisation online and independently of the link in the advertisement.
"If the genuine website is not clearly offering the advertisement for a ‘reward’ - the social media advertisement is a fraud. Your money has been protected by a simple check."
He noted that if an offer sounds like it is too good to be true, it probably is not true.
People are also being advised to never share banking details, pin numbers or passwords with unknown people - whether its by phone, email, text, online or any other means.
