Athlone-area credit union issues text scam warning

The local West-Midlands Credit Union has issued a warning to customers not to fall victim to fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the credit union.

"Fraud Alert!" it wrote in a social media post this week. "Please be aware of a current SMS fraud claiming to be from your credit union.

"This is a scam. Do not click on links from unsolicited text messages."

West-Midlands Credit Union, which incorporates the former Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union, also shared an example of the type of fraudulent texts that are circulating.

It showed a message that read: "Your credit union account has been put on hold, please review your account" along with a website link and a reference number.

The credit union is reiterating its advice to people to be very cautious in relation to any unexpected texts or phone calls they might receive.

"If in any doubt, ignore the text message or hang up on the call, and phone your bank or credit union immediately," it said.

West-Midlands Credit Union can be contacted at 0818 246 497 or online at www.wmcu.ie or info@wmcu.ie