Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I cannot answer the Deputy's question today on the assessment of the level of activity that is ongoing but I will bring that query back to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and ask him or his office to revert directly to the Deputy. The advice to the public is people need to be vigilant as to what is going on. If individuals are receiving persistent missed calls from an unknown number, they are advised in the first instance to contact their service provider and follow the code of practice, details of which are available on the various service providers' websites. In addition, some phones have the capability to block a nuisance number. Individuals are advised to check their phone manual to see if this is a feature of their particular handset, and if it is, they should use that feature and block the number.

ComReg's consumer information notice on its website provides advice, urging vigilance at all times on the part of consumers and lists suggestions for the proactive steps to be taken by those receiving scam calls. In particular, it advises people to keep a careful watch and not to answer or call back any number which they do not recognise or where there is a bland or automated message or no voicemail left. It also provides a phone number for consumers to contact and the regulator offers a text callback service and other facilities to assist consumers.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to identify scam callers in advance, which can resemble normal familiar geographical or international numbers encountered daily. An Garda Síochána's advice has also recommended that people receiving unsolicited and suspicious calls should hang up the call, not engage with the call or return calls, not follow any automated instructions, and not transfer any money or disclose any personal or financial information.

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