General post office opening hours are Monday – Friday 9am to 5.30pm. Saturday opening hours are 9am to 1pm. Full details of your nearest post office and opening hours can be found using our store locator.
Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, 2015 (ADMA)
ADMA will change legislation that has been in place since the 19th century. This Act recognises that a person’s ability to make decisions can vary. It is no longer the ‘all or nothing approach’ where a person can either make decisions or cannot make decisions.
Further information on the Assisted Decision Making Act 2015
The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act, 2015(ADMA) is due to go live on the 26th of April 2023.
All information provided below is subject to change pending the finalisation of the Act in full.
New Supports for decision-making
ADMA has three types of types of decision-making supports to help people make decisions about their personal welfare, property and financial issues.
Decision-Making Assistants
A person can appoint a decision-making assistant that they know and trust to be their decision-making assistant. The role of a decision-making assistant is to help the person make decisions for themselves. They do this by supporting them to get information or to understand, make or express their decisions. In this case, the responsibility for making decisions remains with the person.
Co-Decision Makers
Alternatively, if a person is unable to make a decision on their own they will be able to choose someone they know and trust to be their co-decision maker. This is written down in a co-decision making agreement. The role of a co-decision maker is to make certain decisions together with the person. The responsibility for making decisions is shared jointly between the person and the co-decision-maker.
Decision-Making Representatives
If a person is unable to make certain decisions, the court will appoint a decision-making representative to them. This will be written down in a decision-making representation order. The role of a decision-making representative is to make certain decisions on behalf of the person. The court will list all of the decisions that the decision-making representative can make.
Support for people who want to plan ahead
There are two types of arrangements for people who want to plan ahead for a time in the future when they think they might lose the capacity to make decisions.
Advance healthcare directive
Where someone wants to outline their wishes about medical and healthcare treatment in the case they are not able to make these decisions in the future.
Enduring Power of Attorney
Alternatively, he or she can make an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) to appoint someone they trust as their attorney. This person will act on their behalf to make certain decisions, if they are unable to make them in the future.
More Information
Director of Decision Support Services (DSS) contact details below:
DSS Contact Centre: 01 211 9750
Email: queries@decisionsupportservice.ie
Address:
Decision Support Services
Waterloo Exchange
Waterloo Road
Dublin 4
D04 E5W7
www.decisionsupportservice.ie
Fraud Awareness
Fraud is where a person is financially cheated by another person. Fraud occurs when an individual (fraudster) misleads another individual (victim) by persuading them to do/or not do something that results in financial loss.
Be alert if you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from An Post. They may claim to be calling from the fraud department and claim your account has been compromised. They may ask for your bank details in order to prevent future fraudulent transactions. Do not share any details.
Remember, we will never call, email or text you asking for your bank account or card details, user ID, PIN number, internet password. Never share authorisation codes that have been sent to you by text with anyone, even if that person says they’re calling from An Post.
An Post will not send you an SMS with a clickable link to input your details, they only send SMS for informational purposes. Fraudsters have been able to clone mobile numbers used by An Post or other financial institutions to send you SMS messages so never assume the message is from us.
Shopping online
When shopping online, you may be asked to approve the transaction through your An Post Money app. This is called 3D Secure. 3D Secure is extra fraud protection. It requires customers to complete an additional verification step when paying online. A notification will be sent to the device you have the app installed on. If you have the app downloaded on more than one device, the notification will be sent to the most recent device you activated the app on.
Romance Fraud
Victims of this scam believe they have met their perfect match online, but the person is a fraudster using a fake profile to build the relationship. They slowly gain the victims trust with a view of eventually asking them for money.
Fraudsters may try get their victims to send them money using the following excuses:
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To cover the cost of travelling to see the victim
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For emergency medical expenses for the scammer or a family member, typically a child.
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A business opportunity which would allow them to live a comfortable life together.
What are the signs of romance fraud?
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Fraudsters will try to move communications away from dating websites. They will suggest that the conversations move to instant messaging, text or phone calls.
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Fraudsters will try to establish a personal bond very quickly. They do this by creating pet names e.g.: love, darling etc.
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Fraudsters will ask a lot of personal questions but avoid answering any themselves.
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Fraudsters will never meet in person or video call. They will make promise to meet up but make excuses to delay meeting in person when the time comes.
What can you do?
- Use trusted dating sites.
- Do not share personal details
- Do not send/receive money.
- Trust your instincts.
Buying Gift Cards
There is a string of scams taking place asking people to buy gift cards for various reasons. Fraudsters are requesting codes from the back of these gift cards so they can use them as payment for online purchases.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim of these scams:
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Ensure you’ve met the individual in person before purchasing a gift card for them.
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Do not provide the codes on the back of the gift card to anyone you do not know.
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​Report potential scams immediately to local authorities.
If you feel you have been a victim of fraud, you must report it immediately to local authorities and An Post.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is where someone has control of your money without your consent and it can happen to anyone.
The most important thing is that you tell someone! You can always ask for help if you’re worried that someone has control over your finances without your permission. Telling our staff that you have concerns means we may be able to take action and protect your money.
Has your partner, family, carer or friend ever ..
Made decisions about how to spend your money without your permission?
Used your money without your knowledge or permission?
Made you sign important documents that you did not understand?
Gave you ‘allowances’ or ‘budgets’ without your input?
Acted entitled to your money?
How can we help?
If you’re affected by financial abuse, we can support you. We can work with you to create solutions to your individual circumstances to make banking safe and secure, including:
Cards, PINs and Passwords: We can work with you to ensure that only you have access to your app and online banking. We can walk you through changing your password and help you understand other steps you need to make sure your banking is secure.
Mail: We understand that your circumstances may make it difficult to receive mail at your home address. We can help you access your statements online or update your address to a more secure address.
Taking Steps to Safeguarding your Money:
The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) have a useful guide that provides advice on safeguarding your money and protecting yourself from financial abuse.