Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department is aware of reports that people have received scam calls purporting to be from departmental officials. Thankfully, there has been a significant decline in the reported instances, from more than 1,500 last year to fewer than 120 this year. These scam phone calls and text messages are seeking personal information, for example, a PPS number and bank account details. The focus of the Department's response has been on the provision of information to the public so that people are aware that these calls are fraudulent and that the Department would not contact a customer to ask for these personal details by phone or text.

The Department has been in contact with An Garda Síochána in relation to these scams. In 2021, when the scam calls first came to our attention, the Department alerted people via a number of channels, including a video message from me, which was published on social media; a press release; internal communications to the Department's staff; a multilingual notification on our website; and a public information campaign, which ran in May 2021.

The Department continues to remind people to be fraud-aware, as a preventative measure. I take this opportunity to urge customers of my Department, who have accounts with KBC or Ulster Bank to update their payment details through the secure change of payment service on mywelfare.ie. This service is available to customers with a verified MyGovID account. Customers can also provide their new bank account details in writing to the relevant scheme area in my Department.

My Department will never contact a customer by phone or text message and ask for bank details.

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