GARDAI in Tralee are asking the public to beware of ‘phishing’ scam where criminals purporting to be from the Department of Transport look for people’s billing information and vehicle details via email.

Members of the public have called into  Tralee Garda Station this morning about the hoax emails.

If you receive these emails do not reply and delete it as the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is warning the public to look out for fraudulent “phishing” emails seeking billing information and vehicle details.

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The hoax emails purport to be from the Department of Transport, in connection with customers’ last motor tax transaction.

In a statement, the Department said: “The Department does not send emails requiring customers to send this type of personal information via email or pop-up windows. Any motor tax notifications will come from the email address of info@motortax.ie and anyone who receives an email from any other email address purporting to be from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and suspects it to be fraudulent or a scam, should simply delete it.

“Anyone who provided personal information in response to these fraudulent emails should contact their bank or credit card company immediately.”

The Department has contacted all the relevant authorities and local motor tax offices in relation to this issue.

Customers are only contacted prior to the renewal of their motor tax, and will receive an email from info@motortax.ie, with a link to www.motortax.ie where they can log into a secure site with their PIN and Car Registration number.