The Department of Social Protection is a department of the Irish Government responsible for the social welfare system in Ireland.
About Department of Social Protection scam texts, emails and phone calls
There have been reports of scammers pretending to represent this department in order to lure phone call recipients into handing over sensitive information such as their personal data and their PPS number.
This is achieved by telling the recipient that their PPS number has been compromised and the recipient needs to register for a new PPS number. Such scams may also be sent out via text (SMS).
Report a Department of Social Protection phone, text and email scam.
The Department of Social Protection in Ireland recommends you report any case of fraud or attempted fraud to your local Gardai station.
If you're in the UK, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam emails can be forwarded to The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at report@phishing.gov.uk
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the police via ActionFraud by calling 0300 123 2040 (or 101 in Scotland) or by using ActionFraud's online reporting tool here.
If you're in the USA, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using their complaint assistant here or by calling 1-877-382-4357 (9am-8pm ET)
From a different country? Click here.
You can also forward SMS or email scams to us at scam@thatsfake.com
Avoiding Department of Social Protection text and email scams
The Department of Social Protection has stated that they will not send out unsolicited text messages or phone calls that urge or demand a recipient hand over their personal or financial data. As such, any text or phone call from someone claiming to represent this department asking for such data should be considered a scam.
Also be wary of scams that make the claim that a recipient’s PPS number has been compromised or is “at risk”. Similar scams happening in the UK claim that a person’s “National Insurance” number has been compromised. This is a scam.