Gardaí issue warning over bogus text scam targeting people hit by Storm Éowyn

David Raleigh

People left high and dry by Storm Éowyn now have to contend with being targeted by text scammers pretending to be electricity providers, gardaí warned.

Sergeant Michelle O’Halloran, Crime Prevention Officer, Limerick Division said that “as many households all over the country and within county Limerick remain without power and await restoration of power, it is important to be aware of this current scam text in circulation”.

“Scammers are posing as an electricity provider and we are urging you not to share any personal information with the scammers,” said Sergeant O’Halloran.

Sergeant O’Halloran advised people to “block” and “report suspicious numbers” to An Garda Síochána.

“Always independently verify requests for personal information and do not rely on messages from a thread of previous genuine texts,” Sgt O’Halloran said.

“Caution is needed surrounding such messages and I would again encourage people to discuss these types of crimes with elderly relatives and friends to alert them about this,” she added.

To date, the ESB has restored power to 600,000 properties affected by last Friday’s storm.

However, up to 100,000 homes and businesses are expected to be without power for the rest of the week.

A further 31,000 people remained without water, Tuesday, according to Uisce Éireann.