Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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383. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps a person can take in cases in which there is fraudulent activity on their financial account (details supplied); how money lost can be pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17106/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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If a consumer suspects fraudulent activity on their account, they should immediately report this incident to their local Garda station as it is a criminal matter.

They should also engage with their financial service provider as early as possible to allow them to investigate the issue and try to rectify any unauthorised transactions made. Instances of fraud should also be reported to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to help prevent other people being targeted by the same activity.

Other practical steps a consumer can take to help protect themselves include:

- stopping engagement with a scammer;

- not issuing any further payments until accounts are secured;

- gathering any records relating to the fraud;

- changing passwords on electronic devices;

- updating anti-virus software

It should be noted that the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) cannot investigate instances of fraud, as this is a matter for An Garda Síochána. However, the FSPO can investigate a complaint which relates to service failings of the financial service provider in dealing with a customer who suspects fraud on their account, and any complaint about unauthorised transactions.