I like to think I'm cute enough not to be taken in by scams - who doesn't - but I must admit I was recently taken in by one.
I had an issue with a Bosch washing machine and I wanted to check error codes and typical faults in my model on-line to see if there was something I could do rather than have to call in a repair guy.
So I went on line to the official site, submitted a question and was directed to what looked a kosher site dealing with various issues which asked for card details for a refundable 1 Euro fully refundable deposit to go with my question. Unusual I know but as I say, the site looked very good, proper logos, directed to from Bosch site, none of your usual mis-spelling or bad grammar etc.
Anyways, I alas found no resolution to my issue and had the repair guy have to come on site.
I thought no more about it until I tried to use my debit card and was told it was suspended. AIB noticed "unusual activity" on the card. I'd no idea how the scammers had access but the very helpful AIB guy on the phone asked a series of questions and eventually hit upon the "sign up a refundable amount to answer a technical question" type. And I remembered the repair a couple of months previously.
Now I know people will ask why the f**k I wasn't checking my online bank statements more regularly - I wasn't. And I suspect there are others out there who mightn't be either.
Yesterday I was trying to get information on trouble I was having with my home internet with Eir and lo and behold I was directed from the Eir Official Site to a page that was asking for my card details for fully refundable 5€. So it's obviously widespread and still going on.
Apologies for being longwinded on this lads and lassies, and I know I should have been more careful BUT
DO NOT sign up for "refundable" charge for any technical queries online, no matter whether directed there from the Official company site, and no matter how official the request looks.
REGULARLY CHECK your bank statements for deductions that you don't recognise.
It may help stop you or yours getting scammed. Getting the money back is a pain in the @rse at the moment but I will get it eventually according to the bank.
I had an issue with a Bosch washing machine and I wanted to check error codes and typical faults in my model on-line to see if there was something I could do rather than have to call in a repair guy.
So I went on line to the official site, submitted a question and was directed to what looked a kosher site dealing with various issues which asked for card details for a refundable 1 Euro fully refundable deposit to go with my question. Unusual I know but as I say, the site looked very good, proper logos, directed to from Bosch site, none of your usual mis-spelling or bad grammar etc.
Anyways, I alas found no resolution to my issue and had the repair guy have to come on site.
I thought no more about it until I tried to use my debit card and was told it was suspended. AIB noticed "unusual activity" on the card. I'd no idea how the scammers had access but the very helpful AIB guy on the phone asked a series of questions and eventually hit upon the "sign up a refundable amount to answer a technical question" type. And I remembered the repair a couple of months previously.
Now I know people will ask why the f**k I wasn't checking my online bank statements more regularly - I wasn't. And I suspect there are others out there who mightn't be either.
Yesterday I was trying to get information on trouble I was having with my home internet with Eir and lo and behold I was directed from the Eir Official Site to a page that was asking for my card details for fully refundable 5€. So it's obviously widespread and still going on.
Apologies for being longwinded on this lads and lassies, and I know I should have been more careful BUT
DO NOT sign up for "refundable" charge for any technical queries online, no matter whether directed there from the Official company site, and no matter how official the request looks.
REGULARLY CHECK your bank statements for deductions that you don't recognise.
It may help stop you or yours getting scammed. Getting the money back is a pain in the @rse at the moment but I will get it eventually according to the bank.
