Gardaí are urging business owners to remain vigilant after a Donegal business narrowly avoided falling victim to a sophisticated scam.
The business received a phone call from an individual who attempted to purchase high value goods using a credit card. The payment appeared to be approved at first, however it was subsequently rejected by the card issuer.
A short time later, a man phoned from overseas to report that a fraudulent transaction for the same amount had just been attempted on his wife’s credit card. The payment was cancelled and the business did not suffer any financial loss.
Gardaí say the incident highlights the need for increased caution, particularly for businesses that accept payments over the phone.
“Please advise your staff not to accept payment over the phone from any unknown person, particularly when the goods ordered are of a substantial value,” a spokesperson said.
“We understand that payment is regularly taken over the phone by many businesses and this is acceptable once you are familiar with the buyer and are confident that they are trustworthy but it is important to be cautious when accepting an order and payment over the phone from someone whom you are not familiar with as you cannot use in-person verification and have fewer protections than in-store purchases.”
With many local businesses hiring temporary staff in the lead up to Christmas, Gardaí are asking employers to ensure new and seasonal workers are aware of current scams and know to seek guidance if anything appears suspicious.
“Encourage staff to take a minute and to double check with other staff members if something is not sitting right with them before completing a transaction. Better to be safe than sorry!”
Donegal business targeted in attempted phone payment fraud was last modified: November 4th, 2025 by Staff Writer