Scammers are pretending to work for well-known companies
Hands hold a mobile phone (stock)(Image: Crispín la valiente / Getty Images)
People across Ireland are being spammed by fraudsters using UK numbers to trick people into answering. And if these calls have been driving you crazy – Gardaí warn that engaging with them will only make things worse.
An Garda Síochana have issued an advisory about these calls, asking members of the public to ignore UK numbers them if they don’t recognise them or aren’t expecting a buzz from someone in the region. Those who have answered these numbers already report hearing automated voices pretending to work for private companies. One common scam call involves a fake job offer from someone falsely claiming to work for the employment site Indeed.
Most people – after hearing a robotic voice on the other side of the line – will hang up immediately, knowing that someone is trying to con them. Other calls are a little more convincing however, as they have live scammers on the other side of the line, often claiming to have a “limited time special offer” for a service.
Even if you don’t talk to the caller however, just answering your phone could lead to more trouble down the line. A spokesperson for An Garda Síochana said that picking up these calls notifies bad actors that the number is still active. This information can then be sold to telemarketers or other scammers, leading to more unwanted calls.
Another issues is that fraudsters try to trick people into saying certain things so they can record them. For example, someone ever says ‘Yes’ on one of these calls, that audio could then be clipped, and later used to voice-authorise charges to an account.
ComReg, the statutory body responsible for regulating electronic communications, has confirmed plans to crack down on scam calls and introduce a new ‘Voice Firewall’ to block calls being dialled from spoofed numbers. It is expected to roll out in the first half of 2026.
They said the invention will “provide an important defence against scam calls, notably including those which spoof international numbers”, adding: “This is a dynamic intervention that uses advanced real time call data analytics and machine learning to detect and act upon unusual patterns of call signalling data, traffic volumes and call originating location.”
On Indeed.ie’s website, they warn: “Indeed will never reach out to job seekers to offer employment through phone calls, text messages, or apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. If you get these types of messages, they are scams.
“You may receive text messages from Indeed for:
- Reminders about job applications or saved jobs
- Notifications, such as new matches or alerts from employers to apply through Indeed
- Login security, including two-factor authentication codes”
They note that employers may contact you about a job on Indeed, but ONLY if you have if you shared your number in your application
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “There has been a increase in volume of calls from the United Kingdom lately. Scammers are spoofing UK numbers (like +44) to trick people into answering. If you dont recognise the number or there is no apparent reason for someone from the UK to call you, please never answer. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
“These callers can be automated voices or live scammers, sometimes purporting to be working for private companies or tech support for a bank or other organisation, and they will usually attempt to get some personal or sensitive information from the person being called.
“If you answer, it notifies them that the number is active. When a number is active, it can be sold to telemarketers for a higher price or to another scammer, leading to more unwanted calls. If you respond/answer a question, the scammer might record your voice. Your “Yes” response could be recorded and used to voice-authorise charges to an account. Please DONT ENGAGE.”
