The Hard Shoulder Tech Takeover: Avoiding Online Scams
Nov 19, 2025
Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, shares vital insights on avoiding online scams during the busy shopping season. She highlights the risks of Black Friday and Christmas scams, emphasizing the importance of reporting incidents to aid investigations. Jess explains tactics used in smishing and stresses the use of strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Listeners learn about the practical use of disposable virtual cards for safer online purchases, as well as tips for verifying suspicious communications.
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Smishing Is Big Organised Crime
- Smishing and account-takeover scams are a major organised-crime revenue stream in Ireland.
- Detective Superintendent Michael Crine says roughly €60 million was reported stolen between 2001 and 2024, highlighting scale.
Report Quickly And Involve Authorities
- Report scams to your bank immediately so they can try a recall and freeze accounts.
- Report to the Gardaí because tracing money mules helps investigators climb the criminal chain.
Don't Click Links In Texts
- If you receive a suspicious text, don't click links; go to the official provider's website or call them directly.
- Verify via the company's site or phone to avoid giving credentials to fake sites.