Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Councillor Rafferty Warns of Holiday Phone Scam

Published: 19 August, 2008

Sinn Féin Councillor Cathy Rafferty has issued a warning of an ongoing telephone scam.

Ms. Rafferty said

"Recently I have been approached by a constituent regarding a telephone call they had received informing them they had won a holiday to Mexico, they could allegedly claim their prize by giving out their bank account details over the phone"

The Sinn Féin Councillor continued

"On this occasion the person concerned read them the telephone number of a delivery van outside a neighbours house as their bank account number; telling me they hoped that they had more success getting money from that number than he had getting an overdraft"

"While this response can give us all a laugh, the constituent contacted me because of their concerns that if an elderly or vulnerable person received such a call that may give out sensitive information.

"I share the worries expressed by my constituent and urge anyone who receives one of these calls to hang up and report it to their telephone company, under no circumstances should anyone give out any personal details to a stranger, be it over the telephone or on an internet site."

The Sinn Féin representative concluded "with the prevalence of identity theft everyone must be very careful who they give information to and be very wary of how they dispose of bank statements and other sensitive papers"