The Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes has warned consumers about scam text messages being sent to people asking for information.
The text messages purport to be from the commissioner and ask members of the public to call a particular telephone number and leave their name, address and (personal public service number) PPSN.
The commissioner said his office never contacted members of the public by SMS about data security breaches and did not require or collect PPSNs.
Anyone receiving the scam text message is advised not to call the number provided but to report the incident instead to the Data Protection Commissioner on 057-868 4800.