Please see below for details on recent fraud alerts.
- Fraudsters using spoof bank texts in a new scam
- Malicious Software
- Pension Liberation
- Scam Calls
- Fraud against the elderly
- Money mules (job vacancies)
- Lottery fraud
- Invoice Redirection Fraud (Business banking)
We have seen an increase in Invoice Redirection fraud in 2020.
Invoice Redirection fraud is where fraudsters pretend to be a supplier or service provider for your business in order to trick you into changing bank account payee details. They contact you to tell you that their bank account details have changed and to ask you to send all payments to a new account. This is an account controlled by the fraudster.
What to look out for
- The fraudsters may write to your company’s finance or payments department either on forged headed paper or by email, pretending to be one of your suppliers.
- Typically, they tell you that their account details have changed.
- The payee account may be located either in the UK or overseas.
- The fraudster may ask an employee in your company to either send a pending payment to the new account or, alternatively, to ensure that all future payments are sent to the new account.
What you can do
If a company requests a change of payment details, always follow these simple verification steps before making payments:
- Verify the change by contacting a known contact in the company directly, using contact details held on record, or by using a phone number displayed on the company’s website. Links or contact details contained in the email or letter requesting the change could be fraudulent. Don’t use them.
- Fraudsters may change an email address to make it look as though it has come from someone you are used to dealing with. Always check email addresses carefully.
- Regularly review supplier records to ensure they are up to date.
- Ensure that your employees are aware of this type of threat and how to avoid it.
- Contact us immediately if you receive a suspicious email or letter relating to payments or the Police if you think you have been the victim of fraud.
We encourage you to Take Five by following the below steps:
- Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
Report Fraud
To report online fraud, suspicious activity on your account, or if you have provided personal information in response to a suspicious email, text or phone call.
Call us on:
Northern Ireland
Freephone (Business accounts): 0800 032 1288 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Business online: 0345 309 8123
Great Britain
Business Online: 0345 309 8124
Republic of Ireland
Business Online: 1890 818 265Abroad
Business Online: +353 1 440 6445
Business Online Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, Bank and Public holidays.To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts (both personal and business customers), send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com.
If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- Scam phone calls and fake text messages from fraudsters pretending to be from Bank of Ireland UK (BOIUK)Fraudsters are contacting BOIUK customers either by phone (vishing) or by text (smishing) and gaining enough personal and bank information to make fraudulent payments from customer’s accounts.
Scam Phone calls (Vishing)
Fraudsters are calling BOIUK customers pretending to be from a BOIUK fraud department. They claim that your account has been compromised and ask for your personal data, bank card or bank account details.What you can do
- Don’t give away personal or banking information. No matter what story you are told, if it seems a bit odd or out of the blue, don’t give away your passwords, personal details or banking details.
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and don’t call back any number the caller may have given you. Remember: Bank of Ireland will never ask for your full login PIN or full banking details over the phone.
- If you have accidentally shared your banking information over the phone and you are worried, call us immediately on one of our numbers listed below. Fraudsters can stay on the line after you have finished the call, so either use a different phone to report the incident or wait a few minutes and then call someone you know first, so that you can be sure the fraudster has disconnected completely.
Fake Text messages (Smishing)
Fraudsters are sending fake text messages to BOIUK customers pretending to be from us, the text messages can appear in your existing message feed with BOIUK, so they can be hard to identify. The text messages could have a link to a fake BOIUK website, or it could provide you with a fake telephone number to call. Customers are being asked to remain vigilant against fraud.Remember, Bank of Ireland UK will never:
- Send you a text or email with a link directly to the login page of our online banking channels to confirm banking details or ask you to update their banking details
- Ask you to click a link in an email with an urgent warning about suspicious activity on your account
- Ask you to transfer money out of your account to protect you from fraud
- Ask you to tell us any ‘one-time password’ or code that you have received from us by text
- Ask you to share or send us your full six-digit 365 PIN, four-digit card PIN or Business On Line credentials
- Ask you to send us back your bank card
For more information on how to protect yourself please refer to the Protect yourself link in our website.
Examples of smishing
Please see below some examples of smishing
For more smishing examples please refer to our gallery of phishing and smishing examples here.
Report Fraud
If you suspect suspicious activity on your account, or if you have provided personal information in response to a suspicious email, text or telephone call, please contact us as soon as possible on the below contact numbers:Northern Ireland
Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Freephone (Business accounts): 0800 032 1288 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
365 Online: 0345 7 365 555
Business Online: 0345 309 8123Great Britain
365 Online: 0345 7 365 333
Business Online: 0345 309 8124Republic of Ireland
365 Online: 1890 365 200/ 0818 365 365
Business Online: 1890 818 265Abroad
365 Online: +44 345 7365 555
Business Online: +353 1 440 6445365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.
Business Online Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, Bank and Public holidays.
If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts (both personal and business customers), send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com
- COVID-19 Vaccine Scam Alert
The purpose of this alert is to warn Bank of Ireland UK customers of a new scam circulating where fraudsters are using the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as an opportunity to try to steal your data.
Summary
Bank of Ireland UK have been informed that there is a new scam text message circulating in which fraudsters are posing to be from the NHS. The text message informs the recipient that they are eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine and asks them to click on a link. The link takes the recipient to a fake NHS website and prompts them to enter their bank account details (including sort code, account number and card number) to verify their address. Please remember that the NHS, or your doctor would never ask you for this type of data.
An example of the scam text message is shown below.
We would like to remind our customers to remain vigilant against fraud. The above image is an example of a fraudulent text message that has been sent to an individual, however fraudsters will try to trick people by sending different variations of the same scam. Fraudsters also use different means of communication, other ways fraudsters may try to contact you is by email or telephone.
How to protect yourself
Suspicious texts (Smishing)
Fraudsters may send texts pretending to be from a company you trust. They target mobile users by sending texts with links to fraudulent websites to trick you into providing your online banking details or card details.
You should never:
- Click on or open suspicious links and attachments.
- Use a phone number provided in the text which could be fake.
- Respond to unsolicited text messages.
- Share your banking details, including your full online banking PIN, or other personal information if requested via text message.
If you have clicked on a suspicious link, call us as soon as possible on the phone numbers provided below.
Suspicious emails (Phishing)
Fraudsters sometimes send emails pretending to be from a company you trust, usually asking you to click on a link or open an attachment. The emails may seem genuine and convincing but are designed to trick you into sharing your personal information, such as your username, full PIN or credit card number. They will often make urgent threats and try to scare you into providing your details.
You should never:
- Click on or open suspicious links and attachments.
- Respond to unsolicited emails.
- Share your banking details or other personal information if requested via email.
- Use a phone number provided in the email which could be fake.
If you have clicked on a suspicious link, call us as soon as possible on the phone numbers provided below.
Suspicious calls (Vishing)
Fraudsters may contact you be telephone pretending to be calling from a company you trust. Be vigilant if you receive a phone call out of the blue. The fraudsters may claim that your account has been compromised and ask you for your bank card or bank account details.
You should never:
- Give away personal or banking information. No matter what story you are told, if it seems a bit odd or out of the blue, don’t give away your passwords, personal details or banking details.
- Use a phone number the suspicious caller gave you.
If you have accidentally shared your banking information over the phone and you are worried, call us as soon as possible on the phone numbers provided below. Fraudsters can stay on the line after you have finished the call, so either use a different phone to report the incident or wait a few minutes and then call someone you know first, so that you can be sure the fraudster has disconnected completely.
Further information
To find out more about fraudster Tactics, and what you can do to protect yourself please refer to the Fraudster tactics section of our website.
Report Fraud
If you suspect suspicious activity on your account, or if you have provided personal information in response to a suspicious email, text or telephone call, please contact us as soon as possible on the below contact numbers:
Northern Ireland
Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
365 Online: 0345 7 365 555Great Britain
365 Online: 0345 7 365 333Republic of Ireland
365 Online: 1890 365 200/ 0818 365 365Abroad
365 Online: +44 345 7365 555365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts, send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com
If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- Romance scamsThe UK has seen a rise in people falling victim to Romance scams during Lockdown. The rise comes as more people have turned to online dating during 2020 due to social distancing restrictions. The purpose of this Fraud Alert is to inform Bank of Ireland UK customers about Romance scams and how to protect yourself, your friends and family from Romance scams this Valentine’s Day.
New data from UK Finance reveals a 20 per cent increase in bank transfer romance fraud between January and November 2020 compared to the previous year, with the total value of these scams rising by 12 per cent to £18.5 million. The average loss per victim reported to UK Finance members was £7,850, highlighting the significant impact this type of fraud can have on victims’ finances.
What is a Romance scam?
A Romance scam is when a person is duped into sending money or gifts to a fraudster because they believe they are in a genuine relationship and are sending them to their ‘partner’.
Romance scams usually start with people meeting online; through dating websites or social media. Fraudsters often use fake profiles and spend a lot of time getting to know the victim to convince them that they are in a genuine relationship. Once the fraudster believes they have gained the victim’s trust they will ask for money or gifts that seem genuine; the fraudster could say they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for travel costs if the victim lives overseas. There are numerous reasons, but the key is that money is requested, yet neither party have ever met.
What to look out for
When you are dating someone online, look out for the below alarm bells:- Requests for money or gifts from someone you have never met in person.
- Requests for your personal data (e.g. a copy of your passport to arrange travel).
- Does the person’s profile look genuine? You can complete a reverse image search to find if their profile picture has been taken from somewhere else.
When your friends or family are dating someone online, look out for the below warning signs:
- Being secretive about their relationship.
- Sending money or gifts to someone they have never met in person.
- Committing to someone very quickly, when they have not met in person.
Protect yourself
- Be cautious when providing your personal information. The more information you provide about yourself the easier it is for a fraudster to steal your identity.
- If you notice any of the above alarm bells don’t be pressured into transferring your money, or spending your money to buy gifts.
- Never reveal your banking information to anyone, including your account details, online banking information, card number & pin.
No matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person it’s important that you do not:
- Send them any money
- Allow them access to your bank account
- Transfer money on their behalf
- Take a loan out for them
- Provide copies of your personal documents such as passports or driving licenses
- Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice
- Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes
- Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)
We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:
- Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
Report Fraud
If you think you have been a victim of a Romance scam, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed – you are not alone. Contact us immediately on:- Northern Ireland
Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
365 Online: 0345 7 365 555 - Great Britain
365 Online: 0345 7 365 333 - Republic of Ireland
365 Online: 1890 365 200/ 0818 365 365 - Abroad
365 Online: +44 345 7365 555
365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts, send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com
If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- 2022 Holiday ScamsBank of Ireland UK would like to remind our customers to remain vigilant against holiday scams this summer as restrictions continue to ease.
Holiday scams
Fraudsters set up fake websites and social media profiles where they offer travel deals, concert and festival tickets that are either fake or do not exist. These websites are used to obtain your money and information. The websites usually look genuine so can be hard to spot but if you follow the below steps you can help protect yourself from falling victim to these scams:
- Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media.
- Search for the website by typing it into the web browser. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- That a closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- If it’s too good to be true it probably is – do some research on the company/ website.
- When booking holidays consider booking directly with an established hotel or through a reputable travel company that is a member of a trade body such as ATOL.
- Always use secure payment options and don’t make payment by funds transfer.
- Where possible, use a credit card when making payments over £100 and up to £30,000 as you receive protection under Section 75 of the Credit Consumer Act.
- Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.
We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:
- Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
Report Fraud
Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.
Report a suspicious email or text
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland UK related emails or texts (both personal and business customers), send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com.
Emergency Contact Numbers
You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on:
Calling from UK
Freephone: 0800 121 7790 (personal customers)
Freephone: 0800 032 1288 (Business On Line and Global Market Customers)Calling from ROI
Freephone: 1800 946 764 (personal and business)Calling from Overseas
Not Freephone: 00353 567 757 007Please note: If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- 2021 Summer Scams
Bank of Ireland UK would like to remind our customers to remain vigilant against fraud this summer as restrictions start to ease. Fraudsters are targeting victims with concert/festival ticketing scams, travel scams, and health insurance scams. Please see below for more information about these scams and how you can protect yourself.
Holiday & ticketing scams
Fraudsters set up fake websites and social media profiles where they offer travel deals or event, concert, and festival tickets that are either fake or do not exist. These websites are used to obtain your money and information. The websites usually look genuine so can be hard to spot but if you follow the below steps you can help protect yourself from falling victim to these scams:
- Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media. Search for the website by typing it into the web browser. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- That a closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- If it’s too good to be true it probably is – do some research on the company/ website.
- When booking holidays consider booking directly with an established hotel or through a reputable travel company that is a member of a trade body such as ATOL.
- Always use secure payment options and don’t make payment by funds transfer.
- Where possible, use a credit card when making payments over £100 and up to £30,000 as you receive protection under Section 75 of the Credit Consumer Act.
Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) scams
When travelling in the EU people can access emergency and medical care with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This card has replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) however fraudsters are capitalising on this new card to commit fraud, asking victims for payment details when the GHIC is free. Fraudsters are advertising these cards on fake websites that look like that of the NHS. The sites claim to either fast-track or manage your application process before charging you an up-front fee. You can help protect yourself from falling victim to these scams by following the below steps:
- Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- That a closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, texts, phone calls and social media messages. Listen to your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right then stop and question it.
- Never reveal your personal information if requested via email, text, phone call and social media message.
Vaccine certificate scams
The UK government is currently looking into the use of vaccine certificates or a passport for people to use once restrictions lift. These will show whether people have been vaccinated, have recently tested negative or have natural immunity after being ill with Covid. As we wait for further information on this from the UK Government, fraudsters will be using the opportunity to target people with fake Covid certificates and passports. Fraudsters may contact people by email, phone call, text message, through social media, fake apps or adverts. Often posts include a link leading to a fraudulent website used to steal your money or personal and financial information. You can help protect yourself from falling victim to these scams by following the below steps:
- Don’t click on links sent to you through email, text message or social media. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- That a closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, texts, phone calls and social media messages. Listen to your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right then stop and question it.
- Never reveal your personal information if requested via email, text, phone call and social media message.
We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:
- Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
Report Fraud
If you suspect suspicious activity on your account, or if you have provided personal information in response to a suspicious email, text or telephone call, please contact us as soon as possible on the below contact numbers:
Northern Ireland
Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
365 Online: 0345 7 365 555Great Britain
365 Online: 0345 7 365 333Republic of Ireland
365 Online: 1890 365 200/ 0818 365 365Abroad
365 Online: +44 345 7365 555365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts, send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com
If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media. Search for the website by typing it into the web browser. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- Bank of Ireland UK (BOIUK) Investment Scam
Fraudsters are contacting members of the public, claiming to be from BOIUK offering information on investments/ investment bonds. BOIUK do not offer investment services. If you receive any correspondence claiming to be from BOIUK, offering investment services this is a scam. You may receive this correspondence by phone call, email, text, post, or through social media messages.
Examples of the BOIUK Investments scam emails
Please click on the below links to see examples of the BOIUK Investment Scam emails.How to keep safe
BOIUK do not offer investment services, if you receive any correspondence claiming to be from BOIUK & offering investment services, do not respond and do not provide your personal details or financial information.
If you are considering an investment, before you make any decisions, please remain vigilant against scams. You can do this by independently checking the authenticity of the company you are dealing with. You can check the FCA Warning List of firms to avoid. Learn more by visiting the FCA website for guidance on how to avoid investment scams.
We encourage you to Take Five by following the below steps:
-
- Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
Report Fraud
Lost or stolen card?
As soon as you believe your card has been lost or stolen, please contact us as soon as possible via our Freephone numbers listed below. We’ll cancel your card as soon as you tell us it’s missing and get a new card issued to your address (the one we have on file for you) in 5 to 7 working days.
Fraud, suspicious activity or unauthorised transactions?
To report online fraud, suspicious activity, unauthorised transactions on your account or ATM fraud, please contact us as soon as possible via our Freephone numbers listed below.
Shared your online login details?
If you have shared your banking details in response to a suspicious email, text or call, please notify us as soon as possible via the Freephone numbers listed below.
Report a suspicious email or text
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland UK related emails or texts (both personal and business customers), send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com
Emergency Contact Numbers
You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on:
Calling from UK
Freephone: 0800 121 7790 (personal customers)
Freephone: 0800 032 1288 (Business On Line and Global Market Customers)
Calling from ROI
Freephone: 1800 946 764 (personal and business)
Calling from Overseas
Not Freephone: 00353 567 757 007Please note: If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
-
- COVID-19 related ScamFraudsters are trying to dupe people into paying for proof of their COVID Vaccination status.
ALL proof of vaccination status passes, certificates & letters are FREE
What is proof of COVID Vaccination status?
This is proof of your COVID vaccination status or test results. You may be required to show these to enter an event or to travel.
Where can I get proof of COVID Vaccination status?
Where you obtain your proof of COVID Vaccination status depends on where you live, however please remember that ALL proof of vaccination status passes, certificates & letters are FREE.
If you live in:
- Northern Ireland you can obtain your COVID Certificate from the NI Direct website, or by downloading the COVIDCert NI app from Health & Social Care Northern Ireland.
- England and Whales you can obtain your NHS COVID pass from the NHS website, app or by giving them a call.
- In Scotland you can obtain your vaccination status letter through the NHS Scotland website.
What to look out for:
Fraudsters will try to contact you by email, phone call, text message, through social media, fake apps & adverts, or home visit.
Often posts include a link leading to a fraudulent website where your personal details and financial information are requested. This information is then used to commit fraud, or sold to other criminals to use.
Remember that all proof of vaccination status passes, certificates & letters are FREE.
If you receive a request for a payment hang up, don’t click on the link & don’t provide your personal and/or financial details. Contact us straight away if you are concerned or suspect fraudulent activity on your account.
Below is an example of a fake NHS email and text message currently circulating:
Example of fake NHS email: 
Example of fake NHS text message: 
How to protect yourself:
Remember that all proof of vaccination status passes, certificates & letters are FREE.
You can help protect yourself from falling victim to these scams by following the below steps:
- Don’t click on links sent to you through email, text message or social media.
- When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- That a closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, texts, phone calls and social media messages. Listen to your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right then stop and question it.
- Never reveal your personal information if requested via email, text, phone call and social media message.
We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:
- Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
Report Fraud
Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.
Report a suspicious email or text
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland UK related emails or texts (both personal and business customers), send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com.Emergency Contact Numbers
You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on:Calling from UK
Freephone: 0800 121 7790 (personal customers)
Freephone: 0800 032 1288 (Business On Line and Global Market Customers)Calling from ROI
Freephone: 1800 946 764 (personal and business)Calling from Overseas
Not Freephone: 00353 567 757 007Please note: If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- Black Friday & Cyber Monday Fraud alertBank of Ireland UK would like to remind our customers to remain vigilant against fraud this Christmas period. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching, criminals are attempting to target new victims. Please see below for information on the common Christmas period scams, and how you can protect yourself.
Purchase Scams
Purchase scams occur when a victim pays in advance for goods or services that they never receive. Criminals often use social media platforms, online market place and auction websites to target victims, the victim may not realise they have been a victim of a scam until they do not receive the goods or services they paid for.
How to protect yourself
Criminals may lead you to believe you are dealing with a genuine seller by using fraud tactics. Follow the below steps to help protect yourself from purchase scams:
- Remember, if it’s too good to be true it probably is. Do some research on the person /company/ website before making a purchase.
- Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media. Search for the website by typing it into the web browser. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- That a closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- Ask to see the product in person with the relevant documentation to prove ownership before making a payment.
- Where possible, use a credit card as you may receive protection under Section 75 of the Credit Consumer Act.
- Use the secure payment method recommended by reputable online retailers and auction sites and be suspicious of any requests to pay by bank transfer.
Parcel Scams
Parcel scams occur when a victim is duped into making a payment, or providing their personal/ financial information to criminals posing as delivery services. The victim may receive correspondence by email, text or post from criminals posing to be a well-known delivery service, the criminals claim that they have been unable to deliver parcels or large letters.
How to protect yourself
Criminals may lead you to believe you are dealing with a genuine delivery service by using fraud tactics. Follow the below steps to help protect yourself from parcel scams:
- Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media.
- Whether you are expecting an item or not, if you receive correspondence to say that an item could not be delivered – Don’t click on the links; check the advice on the retailers / delivery services’ genuine website. Search for the website by typing it into the web browser. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- That a closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- Report suspected scam text messages to your mobile network provider by forwarding the text message to 7726 (SPAM).
Take Five to Stop Fraud
We encourage you to #ShopSavvy this Christmas period, and to #Take Five by following the below steps:
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
- If you’re asked to pay by bank transfer not with a secure payment option – that is a red flag
- You should not be asked for security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
- You can always change your mind and not go with an offer if you feel it is dodgy
Report Fraud
Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.
Report a suspicious email or text
To report suspicious Bank of Ireland UK related emails or texts (both personal and business customers), send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com.Check if the Bank of Ireland UK text is legitimate
You can check the legitimacy of any Bank of Ireland UK text you receive, using our new ‘TextChecker’ service, simply send the word ‘Check’ followed by the Bank of Ireland UK message you want to verify, to 50365.
We will reply to confirm if we sent the Text Message to you or if it’s a scam.Emergency Contact Numbers
You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on:Calling from UK
Freephone: 0800 121 7790 (personal customers)
Freephone: 0800 032 1288 (Business On Line and Global Market Customers)Calling from ROI
Freephone: 1800 946 764 (personal and business)Calling from Overseas
Not Freephone: 00353 567 757 007Please note: If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- Christmas Shopping Fraud aware
Christmas shopping creates the busiest time of year for retail, due to Covid-19 this year a lot of people will be doing their Christmas Shopping online. Fraudsters will try to take advantage of this so we are reminding our customers to take extra care when doing their Christmas shopping online this year.
What to look out for
Is the website safe?
- Always go directly to the site or access it via a search engine (e.g. Google, Bing) first. Never follow links on websites or in emails if you are suspicious.
- Ensure the web address is what you expected (e.g. check for incorrect spelling).
- When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
- The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
- A closed padlock icon is present.
- Your browser address window may be green.
- Always ensure you are buying only from reputable retailers, whether from personal experience or trustworthy recommendations. If it is not a well-known shopping site, do some research and look for independent reviews rather than trusting testimonials on the site itself.
- Use a guaranteed payment method such as PayPal when shopping online.
- If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Always view large purchases in person prior to paying for them.
Fraudster Tactics
Fraudsters will try to contact people by email, text, phone, social media and home visits with an aim of scamming you into giving them your money. Please refer to the Protect yourself section of our website to find out more about how you can identify suspicious activity, and what you can do to protect yourself.We encourage you to Take Five by following the below steps:
- Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
- Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
- Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
- Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
- Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
Report Fraud
If you get a suspicious call or email, especially after sending a tweet to us, or if you notice any suspicious activity:- Terminate the call without providing any personal details or financial information.
- Do not respond to or click on any links in suspicious texts or emails.
- Never provide your full banking PIN to anyone.
- Report your concerns to 365security@boi.com (include the phone number, a screenshot of the text if possible, or forward the email).
You can also contact us on one of the emergency numbers below (do not use a phone number given to you in the text or email as this could be fake):
Northern Ireland
Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Freephone (Business accounts): 0800 032 1288 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
365 Online: 0345 7 365 555
Business Online: 0345 309 8123Great Britain
365 Online: 0345 7 365 333
Business Online: 0345 309 8124
Lost/Stolen cards: 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week)Republic of Ireland
365 Online: 1890 365 200/ 0818 365 365
Business Online: 1890 818 265
Lost/Stolen cards: +353 5 6775 7007 (24 hours, 7 days a week)Abroad
365 Online: +44 345 7365 555
Business Online: +353 1 440 6445
Lost/Stolen cards: +353 5 6775 7007 (24 hours, 7 days a week)365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.
Business Online Opening hoursMonday-Friday 8am-6pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, Bank and Public holidays.
If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.
- Phishing scam targeted at university students
The purpose of this alert is to raise awareness of a phishing scam targeted at students in UK universities.
The phishing campaign claims that the student has been awarded an educational grant as part of a student support programme. The email example below purports to have come from the Finance Department of the student’s university. It tricks the recipient into clicking on a hyperlink contained in the message to provide personal details on a webpage.
Victims report that after submitting their sensitive information (including name, address, date of birth, bank account details, National Insurance Number and mother’s maiden name), they were taken to a spoofed website which appeared to be a genuine representative of their online bank, where they were directed to type in their online banking credentials.
Protection and Advice
- Don’t open attachments or click on the links within any unsolicited emails you receive, and never respond to emails that ask for your personal or financial details.
- An email address can be spoofed, so even if the email appears to be from a person or company you know of, but the message is unexpected or unusual, then contact the sender directly via another method to confirm that they sent you the email.
- If you receive an email which asks you to login to an online account, go directly to the website yourself instead of using the link provided in the email.
- If you suspect an email is a scam, do not reply to the sender. Where possible, flag the email as spam and then delete it.
- Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you’re updating the operating system or an app, the update will often contain fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
- If you think your bank details have been compromised and/or you have lost money due to fraudulent misuse of your cards, you should immediately contact the bank and report it to Action Fraud.