Permanent TSB customers are currently being targeted by a phishing scam that attempts to steal log-in information and passwords to the banking website.

If you happen to receive an email similar to the one below, do not respond or click on any links in the email.

Dear Esteem Customer

Due to multiple attempt error while trying to login in to your online Permanent TSB Online Account. We believed that someone other than you is trying to access your Account For security reasons, we have temporarily Flagged your account and your access to online banking will be restricted until this issue is solved.

Update your Permanent TSB Account now to enjoy the benefits of online banking and safer online banking experience.

Click here to proceed

Thanks for taking the time to learn about our upcoming plan for Enhance Online Security – it’s one more way that Permanent TSB online banking can makes your online banking experience better..

Irish Life & Permanent plc is a limited liability company registered in Dublin under No. 222332. The company’s registered office is: Irish Life Centre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.

Closer investigation of the email shows that the link actually points to a Brazillian website.

<a href="http://www.cspconsultoria.eng.br/logs/easyweb.php">

The email which we investigated comes from an insecure mail server run by an Australian company.

Received: from User (mail.blighcapital.com.au [59.167.233.41])

Microsoft and the National Consumer Agency have issued a warning to consumers about a scam that targets people running Microsoft Windows.

The bogus callers, who claim to be from Microsoft, request that users download a file from a website in order to remove a virus supposedly on their computer. This file acts as a trojan horse allowing the scammers access to the consumers computer. From here they can obtain information such as financial details, account logins and passwords etc. In some cases they have also requested credit card details over the phone from people.

If you happen to receive one of these calls the NCA advise that you hang up immediately and report the call to them on 1890 432 432.

Pieter Roor, 58. and his wife Heleen, 59, were arrested last September after a Dutch investigation on behalf of the US authorities for running a scam on the internet which was reported to have earned them hundreds of thousands of euro.

It is alleged that the couple scammed investors by offering enormous profits with very little investment. A number of scam websites have featured some of the schemes allegedly run by the couple.

These include the Oxford Savings Club, AceInvest, MiAmigo Services, AceXchange, We Let Your Money Grow, Dollar Dazzler, Petheldia, XWire, and the Happy Society.

The couple were indicted earlier this month three charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud. It is believed that they also operated their sham investment schemes in Britain and the Netherlands

A Dutch court will decide on Friday if the extradition is to go ahead.