Fraudsters are posing as motor tax authorities to get private bank details from people, transport chiefs have warned.
In the latest so-called phishing scam, would-be victims are getting emails alleging to be from the Department of Transport about car tax renewal.
“These emails are a hoax,” said a department spokesman.
“The Department does not send emails requiring customers to send this type of personal information via email or pop-up windows.”
The bogus emails ask the recipient for billing information and vehicle details related to their last motor tax transaction.
But the department said car owners are only ever contacted immediately before their motor tax is due for renewal, from the info@motortax.ie email address.
Official emails will have a link to www.motortax.ie, where they can log into a secure site with their Pin and car registration number.
The department said it was only made aware of the scam on Wednesday.
“Any motor tax notifications will come from the email address of info@motortax.ie and anyone who receives an email from any other email address purporting to be from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and suspects it to be fraudulent or a scam, should simply delete it,” the spokesman added.
“Anyone who provided personal information in response to these fraudulent emails should contact their bank or credit card company immediately.”