Warning over 'An Post' scam issued by Westmeath Garda Superintendent

The newly appointed head of the Crime Hub in the Meath - Westmeath Garda district has issued a warning to the public about a 'smishing' scam that impersonates a text message from An Post.

Detective Superintendent David Nolan, who is based in Mullingar, said fraudsters were sending the fake messages to members of the public by email as well as text.

A typical example of one of the messages tells the recipient that a package being sent to them but has been held up because a fee needs to be paid to ensure delivery.

The advice from Detective Superintendent Nolan is:

* Stop and think – are you expecting a package?

* Do not respond to unsolicited messages.

* Never click on links in these messages.

* Keep your personal information to yourself - personal details like name, emails or credit / debit card information.

* Sometimes the tone is threatening. An Post will never send threatening requests.

He also advised the public that An Post would never contact people by phone, email or SMS and ask them to share any personal details like your date of birth, bank account details, card PIN or full card details, login details, passwords, email address or User ID.