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Cryptocurrency

Fraudsters target people promising great returns in cryptocurrencies then steal their money. These scams can be very sophisticated, and hard to identify.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers cryptocurrencies to be a high risk investment, and fraudsters use the complexity of cryptocurrencies to try to bamboozle people, and underplay the risks involved.



Cryptocurrency is a high-risk investment – if you invest in cryptocurrencies, you risk losing all the money you invested.

In addition to the high-risk nature of cryptocurrency investments, fraudsters target people promising great returns in cryptocurrencies then steal their money. These scams can be very sophisticated, and hard to identify.

As of 8 October 2023, firms who promote cryptoassest in the UK must be authorised or registered by the FCA. Accordingly, the firm or person promoting cryptoassest must be registered on the FCA register, in addition their promotions must be clear, not misleading, fair, labelled with prominent risk warnings without inappropriate incentives for investment. The FCA issued 146 alerts in the first 24 hours of new crypto marketing regime. This measure will help protect people when investing in cryptoassest, however we would like to remind you that if you invest in cryptocurrencies, you risk losing all the money you invested.

If you choose to invest in cryptoassets please consider the following to help protect yourself from scams.

  • Do your research before investing.
  • Search the FCA register to ensure the person and firm you are speaking to is registered with the FCA. If they are not registered with the FCA, they are not legally permitted to trade cryptoassets.
  • The FCA warning list is a list of known unauthorised firms and individuals, search this list to ensure the person and firm you are speaking to is not listed.
  • Never trust an advert for cryptocurrencies from social media.
  • We are not aware of any registered financial advisers who would recommend investing in cryptocurrencies.
  • Manage your crypto wallet yourself.
  • Do not give logon details and passwords to anyone.
  • Do not trust firms/people who reach out to you out of the blue.
  • Celebrity endorsements generally mean it’s fake.
  • Don’t trust anyone who askes you to take out a loan/use credit for an investment.
  • Use the FCA ScamSmart Investment Checker to help avoid scams.
  • From more information on cryptocurrencies, please refer to the FCA’s Crypto: The Basics page.

Take Five

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

  1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
  2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
  3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
  4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
  5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

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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 567 757 007

Please 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.