Latest news with #ComReg
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Calls for Eir to remove abandoned phone wires in Galway
Today at 08:55 Non-functioning phone wires appear to be abandoned in countryside areas after Storm Eowyn and Galway County councillor Sean Broderick calls them 'dangerous and disgraceful'. The storm caused massive wind damage throughout county Galway including phone wires and power lines. Cllr. Broderick has called on telecommunications company Eir to clean up abandoned phone wires throughout rural areas particularly Athenry and Monivea. Restoration efforts are still under way in those areas after the storm and recently saw increased funds to assist in those efforts the Irish Independent reported. Cllr Broderick claims that when Eir contractors came to replace the lines, they failed to remove the old wires and instead 'dropped them in ditches, on roadsides, and in people's gardens.' 'In some cases, wires have been left hanging dangerously low across farm gateways, making it difficult or even impossible for tractors and machinery to access fields. It's disgraceful and it's unsafe.' Cllr Broderick said. Immediate action was requested by the councillor to resolve the concern prior to hedge-cutting season as 'contractors will be reluctant to go near these hanging wires'. 'The wires are no longer in use — that much is clear — but it is not acceptable to leave them littering the countryside like discarded rubbish. I am calling on Eir, ComReg, and the Department of Environment to intervene and ensure this mess is cleaned up without delay.' Contacted by the Irish Independent, Eir responded that they have no record of Cllr Broderick's enquiry on their general database or in the private line to local councillors. Without an Eircode that pertains to property affected by the abandoned phone lines, locating any complaints, or carrying out services, is difficult. Eir did explain that certain challenges can be faced if old phone lines are enclosed around over-grown shrubs, as that is not the responsibility of the company, or if the lines are on private property where permission would nee to be sought to remove the broadband wires. Cllr Broderick said: 'Galway's countryside is not a dumping ground. These communities deserve better than this careless treatment. Someone must take responsibility — and they must take it now.' At the time Cllr Broderick says he made the complaint to Eir, damage from the storm was at an all-time high and the enquiry was far more general to the Athenry-Oranmore area than to specific locations. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Examiner
24-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Scam texts up by 150% this month, says AIB
Phone users have been warned of a surge in fraudulent text messages, with the number of scam texts rising as 150% last month, according to AIB. Many of the texts purport to come from legitimate businesses and state bodies, with some claiming to be from MyGov and MyAccount. The messages come despite recent legal changes implemented by ComReg aimed at curbing the scam text scourge, which mean business-to-person unregistered SMS Sender IDs are modified to 'Likely Scam'. However, personal mobile numbers are not included in the updated legislation. "The issue would require an SMS filter for private mobile numbers and this requires legislation, as mentioned in the Programme for Government," a ComReg spokersperson told the Irish Examiner. Thousands of phone users have been targeted by the latest wave of scam texts, with banks including AIB urging customers to be on the lookout. Increasing numbers of fraudulent text messages asking the recipient to call a phone number. "AIB has detected a significant rise in the number of customers receiving fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the bank this week. The messages have contributed to a 150% increase in July on the number of fraudulent messages sent in June," said an AIB statement. "Following recent changes by ComReg, they are now predominantly coming from unregistered mobile numbers. And these messages often reference other legitimate company names who are in no way connected to the scam," said a statement from AIB. "Customers are being tricked into thinking their accounts are compromised and asked to move their money to another financial institution for safekeeping." AIB head of financial crime Mary McHugh said: "Take a moment to ask yourself, 'could this be a scam?'. That's why you should wait a sec and double check, and never move your money to another account after receiving a call or text claiming to be us." Meanwhile Revenue said phishing emails, texts and phone calls seeking personal information are "increasingly common". "Revenue never contacts customers in such a manner, and never seeks personal information such as bank account details via phone call, SMS text message or email. Anyone who receives a suspicious or questionable phone call, text message or email purporting to be from Revenue is advised to end the call or delete the communication immediately."
Irish Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Urgent tumble dryer safety alert issued as owners told 'stop using immediately'
An urgent safety alert has been issued for a number of tumble dryers sold in Ireland over concerns they could pose a fire hazard. The Commission for Communications Regulations (ComReg) announced this week that a safety hazard has been identified with certain Haier / Candy / Hoover heat pump tumble dryers as they called on customers to stop using these appliances with immediate effect. According to ComReg, the product presents a risk of fire due to manufacturing variations "as it is possible for an internal short circuit to occur during use, causing the product to ignite". "Haier Smart Home UK & I Ltd ('Haier') are carrying out a service intervention to rectify the issue," said the Irish Market Surveillance Authority. "If you are the owner of an affected product, stop using it immediately and contact Haier to arrange for a modification to take place." ComReg listed 15 model numbers that are affected by the issue. The affected models are: Model Brand Brand Product Number HDBI H7A2TBEX-80 HAIER 31900541 HDB4 H7A2TBERX80 HAIER 31900550 CBTD H7A1TE-80/ CANDY 31900011 CTDB H7A1TBE-80/ CANDY 31900013 BCTD H7A1TBE-80 CANDY 31900526 BCTD H7A1TE-80 CANDY 31900529 BCTDH7A1TCEB-80 CANDY 31900537 BKTDH7A1TCEB-80 CANDY 31900538 HTDBWH7A1TCE-80/ HOOVER 31900010 HBTDWH7A1TCE-80/ HOOVER 31900012 BHTD H7A1TCE-80 HOOVER 31900528 BHTDH7A1TCEB-80 HOOVER 31900530 BATDH7A1TCEB-80 HOOVER 31900531 BATD H7A1TCE-80 HOOVER 31900536 BATD H7A1TCER-80 HOOVER 31900542 Haier have said that they will send a service engineer to the homes of customers who have an affected product to rectify the issue. A spokesperson for Haier said: "We have recently identified a variability in our production of built-in tumble dryers that, on rare occasions, can generate an internal short circuit to occur. In certain circumstances and under certain conditions, this short circuiting may result in the machine igniting. "We take consumer safety very seriously and want to reduce any product safety risks to a minimum. Therefore, we would like to carry out an in-home modification to rectify the issue. This would require a service engineer to attend your home, free of charge. "If you own one of the affected models, we strongly advise that you do NOT use the appliance until the engineer has completed the modification." Owners can check whether they have an affected product by checking their model number and serial number and following the instructions here. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
23-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Public warned of missing important text messages amid new ComReg scheme
The public are being warned of missing potentially important text messages amid a new scheme from ComReg. The scheme came into effect from July 3, 2025, and now sees unregistered SMS Sender IDs modified to 'Likely Scam.' Companies are being urged to register their business or organisation's Sender ID to ComReg without delay in order for their number to come up as their business name in SMS messages. The public are being warned of missing potentially important text messages amid a new scheme from the communications regulators. Pic: Shutterstock Typically, SMS messages from organisations like banks, medical facilities, delivery companies, schools and even clubs came up with their names. The messages are usually in regards to appointment reminders, financial transactions or delivery update. Amid the growing cleverness of scam artists, SMS messages have been undermined, with ComReg noting 'significant harm' has been caused to organizations and consumers alike. Typically, SMS messages from organisations like banks, medical facilities, delivery companies, schools and even clubs came up with their names. Pic: Getty Images They said: 'To help prevent text scams and help restore SMS as a reliable and trustworthy communications channel, ComReg recently launched an SMS Sender ID Registry in Ireland.' Businesses are being urged to register with the SMS Sender ID Registry immediately. From October 3, text messages from all unregistered SMS Sender IDs will be blocked. The public are being reminded that a message that is marked 'Likely Scam' could be from a legitimate source, and are advised to being vigilant in regards to text messages. Pic: Getty Images The public are being reminded that a message that is marked 'Likely Scam' could be from a legitimate source, and are advised to being vigilant in regards to text messages. ComReg warn not to click on links or call numbers contained in the content of these texts but to check the organization's contact details separately. Facebook users are warning their friends online to be wary of text messages, as one user revealed she got her 'usual CBL [Choice Based Letting] text' on Wednesday morning and it was marked 'Suspected Spam.' The woman said: 'I know this is a mistake from the new system warning people about spam texts but someone may lose out on a house.' Another person confirmed their message from CBL was marked 'Suspected Spam' as was a medical appointment confirmation. Businesses and organisations should register their Sender ID immediately, via
Irish Times
23-07-2025
- Irish Times
‘Stop using it immediately': Regulator warns about fire risk in certain tumble dryers
Consumers are being warned about a 'risk of fire' in certain tumble dryers. The Commission for Communications Regulations ( ComReg ) said anyone who owns one of the affected devices should 'stop using it immediately' and contact Haier to arrange a modification. In a safety notice, it said certain Haier, Candy and Hoover heat-pump tumble dryers present 'a risk of fire due to manufacturing variations, as it is possible for an internal short-circuit to occur during use, causing the product to ignite'. The regulator, which regulates the electronic communications sector, under which tumble dryers fall, said Haier Smart Home UK & I Ltd is conducting a service intervention to rectify the issue. READ MORE On its UK website, Haier said it took consumer safety 'very seriously' and wanted to reduce any product safety risks to a minimum. It has identified a variability in its built-in tumble dryers that, 'on rare occasions', can generate an internal short-circuit to occur. 'In certain circumstances and under certain conditions, this short-circuiting may result in the machine igniting,' Haier said. To rectify the issue it wants to carry out at-home modifications, which require a service engineer attending free of charge. 'If you own one of the affected models, we strongly advise that you do NOT use the appliance until the engineer has completed the modification,' it said. ComReg listed 15 model numbers that are affected by the issue.
