Christmastime fraud warning
A Mullingar businessman who was the victim of fraud has warned other retailers to be wary of a particular scam this Christmas.
Creative IT is a Mullingar-based computer solutions company that provides computer-related products and services to homes, schools, and businesses nationwide.
Located on Castle Street, Mullingar the business also sells and repairs refurbished electronics, including laptops, iPhones, tablets, and accessories.
The business owner, Evan Doherty, took to social media to warn about scammers trying to take advantage of the Christmas rush to defraud: “These individuals entered the store and misled a staff member into bypassing our standard payment protocol. While I was not present, these men entered the shop and used a very common payment scam technique.”
The fraudsters attempt to pay on their phone, when the payment is declined they ask the staff member if the payment could be entered manually. In this instance a high-value item worth €1,249 was handed over before the payment was verified. The transaction has since been confirmed as unauthorised or fraudulent.
Evan circulated an image to assist in crime prevention and community awareness. He says phone stores seem to be a particular target for scammers: “We experience it quite a bit. It tends to be the same people phoning up to make a fraudulently purchase. They are trying to get someone they have not dealt with before to take an order over the phone with a card number.
“The staff here are aware of the issues. The fraudsters will try to tap their phone, and when it doesn’t work they ask to have the numbers put in manually. I think most places are aware of the scam.
“I sent around a picture to the staff of the same scammers. They were in Mullingar two weeks ago.”
An Garda Síochána have warned both the public and business people about being vigilant at this time of year. When buying items from an independent seller (for example at a market or arranged in person), try to verify their identity and business details.
Be cautious with unusual payment methods: Legitimate businesses will use standard, secure payment methods. In sales of high-value items, be fully satisfied the money is in your bank account before handing over goods. Scammers may show a fake bank transfer confirmation on their phone.
“The Gardaí were down here pretty quickly, in fairness, the day that happened,” Evan told the Examiner, “after I put it up on Facebook somebody contacted me with their names. I have their names and I’m going to pass them on to the Gardaí.”
If you believe you have been scammed or are the victim of a crime, contact your bank immediately to freeze your card/account and report the incident to your local Garda station.