Garda appeal - iTunes gift cards scam

Gardaí are again warning the public about a scam tricking them into purchasing iTunes gift cards.

Gardaí in Cork recently received a report of an attempt to defraud a business via email. 

The email was sent by a person claiming to be the manager of the company and requested that a staff member purchase €2,000 of iTunes gift cards and send on the voucher numbers. 

Thankfully the employee contacted their manager by phone to verify the request – which turned out to be a scam.

This is a new variation in the scam which has previously worked as follows:

The victim will receive a phone call, voicemail or email from the scammer, claiming to be a representative of an organisation, in which they claim the victim owes money. 

On contact with the victim, the scammers will insist immediate payment is required, suggesting the payment needs to be made by purchasing iTunes gift cards from a retailer. 
In some of these cases, victims are told they are facing criminal charges.

Once the victim has purchased these cards, the scammers will ask the victim to share the 16-digit code on the back of the card over the phone. 

The scammers will then use this code to purchase goods online.

Gardaí are advising people to be vigilant and suspicious of any calls, voicemails or emails from people claiming to represent a company, or organisation that you may be a customer or employee of. 

They may ask you to purchase gift cards or vouchers. 

The scammer may have some information about you, so don’t trust them just because they use your name or have other personal information.

No company will request payment via iTunes or any other online vouchers. 

If you receive a call like this, end the call and contact gardaí.

Crime Prevention Advice

Always say no to unsolicited callers or texters seeking personal information about you. 

Personal information includes your name, address, date of birth, family details, bank account numbers, PIN, Passwords.

Independently verify any requests for information and never use the contact details supplied to you by the caller or texter.
 
The caller may already have some information about you so don’t assume trust them just because they use your name or other personal information. 

If you are not purchasing an item from the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or an Apple Music membership, do not make a payment with iTunes Gift Cards.

There’s no other circumstance in which you’ll be asked to make a payment with an iTunes Gift Card.

An Garda Síochána or your bank will never look for your banking PIN number, password, ask you to transfer money or come to your home to collect your payment card, cheque book or cash.

Detective Superintendent Healy said: “We fear that this is an emerging scam and would urge people to be vigilant. 

“The retailers of such cards should also be vigilant and commended for previous actions preventing the scam by highlighting concerns when elderly persons attempted to purchase high value amounts of gift cards. 

“Please remember, If you are not purchasing an item from the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or an Apple Music membership, do not make a payment with iTunes Gift Cards. 

“There’s no other instance in which you’ll be asked to make a payment with an iTunes Gift Card.

“If you fear you have been a victim of this scam or any other scam for that matter, please pick up the phone and call gardaí.”

 

AIB is reporting that it has received reports of two scams currently in circulation. 

Some customers have reported receiving fraudulent calls claiming to be one of the two below:

ONE: a law enforcement official; e.g. National Crime Agency, Europol, or Interpol, advising you that your broadband has been compromised, your identity has been stolen and your PC is being used for criminal purposes; e.g. drug trafficking/money laundering.

They will ask you to assist them by making payments that they claim they will track to identify criminals.

The callers may advise you not to disclose this information to law enforcement/bank staff.

TWO: a utility company: e.g. telephone or mobile phone provider, broadband provider or software company, offering to “fix” PC or broadband problems. 

The callers will attempt to trick you into divulging your banking or card credentials and provide codes from your Card Reader, in order to access your online banking and make fraudulent payments.

You may be asked to allow the caller to take remote control of your PC in order to “assist” you, however this could allow the fraudster to show you fraudulent screens.

The callers are professional and will be able to transfer you to their “supervisor” should you request this. 

They sound genuine.

NEVER disclose codes from your AIB Card Reader over the phone.

NEVER disclose the full five digits of your Personal Access Code (PAC).

If you have received such a call and disclosed any of your banking details, contact your bank immediately.