Gardaí Warn Of Rising Email And Retail Scams In Wicklow

Gardaí in Wicklow are warning of fake emails accusing people of crimes and in-store scams targeting merchant card receipts. They stress they never contact people by email for investigations and urge residents and retailers to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.

Gardaí in Wicklow are urging the public and local businesses to remain vigilant following a surge in scams targeting residents and retailers across the county.

One scam currently circulating involves fraudulent emails claiming to be from senior Garda officers. The emails falsely accuse recipients of serious crimes, including child sexual abuse offences.

Gardaí have emphasized that they never contact individuals by email about investigations, never request money, and never ask people to transfer funds to bank accounts.

Bray Garda Sergeant John Fitzpatrick has told East Coast FM news  “These emails are designed to create panic”.

He added:

“Look closely and you’ll often see poor spelling and grammar — for example, ‘offense’ is spelled incorrectly. If you receive such an email, delete it immediately. Do not share personal information, and always verify the email directly with Gardaí or the relevant financial institution.”

In addition to email scams, Gardaí are warning retailers in Wicklow about a rising trend of in-store fraud. Two individuals have been reported targeting shops using a distraction technique to steal merchant copies of credit and debit card receipts.

Here’s how the scam works:

• One individual distracts the staff member while the other grabs merchant receipts, which contain sensitive card information.
• The stolen information is then used for “card-not-present” fraud, often by making virtual purchases in other shops.
• Gardaí have noticed the suspects sometimes ask to complete a virtual transaction, claiming they forgot their card or phone — a clear red flag.

Retailers are advised to:

• Keep all merchant receipts out of sight and locked away.
• Limit or refuse virtual purchases from unknown customers.
• Be alert to pairs of individuals acting together in a suspicious manner.
• Ensure CCTV covers the counter and key areas of the shop.
• Report any suspicious activity immediately to their local Garda station.

Gardaí stress that vigilance and caution can help prevent these scams from succeeding. Residents and business owners are encouraged to stay alert and report suspicious emails or in-person activity promptly.