Public Warned of New Scam: Fraudsters Persuade Victims to Hand Over Debit Cards to Taxi Drivers
Public Warned of New Scam
In recent months, a disturbing new scam has emerged, prompting urgent warnings from financial institutions. Victims across the country have reported receiving text messages instructing them to leave their debit cards out for collection by a taxi driver or courier. The scam, which has been on the rise, involves fraudsters tricking account holders into handing over their cards under the guise of a legitimate transaction.
The scheme often includes requests to leave the card under a doormat if the victim is not at home. This tactic aims to exploit the trust and confusion of unsuspecting individuals. The bank responsible for most of these warnings, AIB, has issued a clear statement to its customers: it will never ask for debit or credit card information via text, phone call, or social media.
Mary McHale, AIB’s Head of Financial Crime, emphasized the seriousness of this issue. “Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the rise in these taxi and courier scams is alarming,” McHale said. “AIB will never request that customers provide their bank cards or PINs to anyone. If you receive such a request, please end the conversation immediately and contact your bank directly.”
AIB, along with other financial institutions, is actively working to raise awareness about this scam and prevent further incidents. Customers are advised to remain vigilant and to contact their bank if they have any doubts about the legitimacy of requests for personal or financial information.
