In recent developments, authorities have issued stark warnings concerning a new scam circulating via text messages that falsely promises discounted electricity bills. A growing number of individuals have reported receiving these deceptive texts from a sender purporting to be from the official government website, gov.ie. These messages lure recipients with the offer to click on a link to apply for a reduced electricity bill. However, this is a scam.
The truth behind these fraudulent offers is quite different from what the scam texts suggest. The government has already implemented a system where electricity credits are automatically applied to the consumers’ accounts. There is no need for any application through links sent via text messages. The first installment of this credit, amounting to €125, is scheduled to be disbursed before the end of this year. A second payment of the same amount will follow early next year.
Local Independent Councillor, Marie Casserly, has taken a proactive stance in alerting the public. She urges everyone to remain cautious and to scrutinize any communication claiming to offer easy access to government benefits like electricity credits. According to Councillor Casserly, the best response to such scams is to ignore the links provided in any unsolicited texts and to verify any such claims directly through official channels.
