A local councillor has expressed his concern and warned the public to be mindful - on account of a spate of online scams targeting those accessing social welfare.
Fianna Fail Councillor Eamon Quinlan says he has seen numerous instances of the scam, and explained how the system works.
"I personally have been targeted. Many are using copied social media profiles of friends and family saying they received large amounts of money by signing up for the State's Double Payment and Christmas Bonus."
"They send you a link to click on as they advise they saw your name down as one of the eligible recipients. They then send photos of stacks of 50 euro notes and postal boxes as if it is awaiting your confirmation. This is a sophisticated scheme and I worry for people who aren't wise to online scams as well as those under financial pressure this Christmas season. I implore everyone to be mindful and to double-check even if you think it is coming from a known source."
Cllr. Quinlan says more must be done to highlight the prevalence of such scams.
"I also encourage the Government to run an information campaign to explain that payments like these will never be made in such a shady manner. The Christmas period sees a surge in scammers and we need to forwarn people."
