You could have been a victim of fraud.
Online scams are becoming more sophisticated and a large amount of fraudsters are now targeting young people on social media to act as ‘Money Mules’. This means using someone’s bank account to transfer stolen money.
'Money Muling' is a type of money laundering and if you get caught, your bank account will be closed and you run the risk of a criminal record.
Every day, we share personal data through sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter but sharing information like your date of birth or your mother’s maiden name makes it easier for fraudsters to steal your identity.
These fraudsters often use fake social media ads to trick you into sharing personal data and will also target you through fake shopping offers and deals to get you to share banking details.
Here is how you can be safe online and avoid becoming a victim of fraud:
- Always be wary of ‘work-from-home’ ads and ads offering a quick cash fix
- Never use public Wi-Fi to make an online payment or check your online banking
- Don’t accept social media friend requests from people you don’t know
- Change up your passwords frequently
If you suspect that you have been the victim of a scam, contact your bank and the Gardaí ASAP.
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