- Never download software that lets someone control your device.
- Don’t share personal or banking details with unexpected callers.
- Keep your Visa Debit or credit card details private
- Be aware that scammers can fake Caller ID numbers to appear as a real company.
- Never log in to online banking while someone else is connected to your device, even if they seem trustworthy, or are very persistent.
- Don’t transfer money based on instructions from unknown callers, no matter what story they tell you.
Screen Sharing Scams
A screen sharing scam happens when a criminal tricks you into downloading screen sharing software to steal your personal and financial information. You might think you’re dealing with a real company, or someone you trust, like a friend or partner. While the software itself is usually safe, once you let the scammer control your screen, they can access your information and use it to take over your accounts or open new accounts in your name.
Criminals use clever tactics to make people think they are dealing with a trusted person. Here are some common tricks they use:
- Romance/ friendship screen sharing scams
Romance scams often begin when people meet online, whether on dating sites or social media. Scammers create fake profiles and spend time building a connection with you to make a relationship seem real. Once they think they’ve earned your trust, they may ask you to download screen sharing software. The scammer can then use your personal or financial details to take over your account, or to apply for credit in your name. They might also pressure you into applying for credit on their behalf.
What to look out for
When dating or making friends online, watch out for these warning signs:
- Requests for you to download screen sharing software.
- Requests for you to apply for a loan or other banking product in your name.
- Requests for personal information, such as a copy of your passport.
- Requests for money or gifts from someone you have never met in person.
Protect yourself
- Never download software that allows someone to control your device.
- Be cautious with your personal information. The more you share, the easier it is for someone to steal your identity.
- Check if their profile looks real. You can do a reverse image search to find if their profile is used somewhere else.
- If you spot any of the warning signs, don’t feel pressured to download software, transfer money, send gifts, or share your personal details.
- Never share your banking information, including account details, online banking info, card number or pin.
- Don`t apply for credit in your name with plans to give the funds to someone else.
- Investment Screen sharing scams
An investment scam is when a scammer convinces you to transfer money, making you think it’s going into an investment account. You’re told you`ll see returns in the coming months or years, but the money actually goes to an account controlled by the scammer, and you`re unlikely to get it back. Criminals are now using screen sharing software in these scams.
Scammers may contact you pretending to be from a legitimate investment company, or someone you know, such as a friend or family member. This could be after you have researched investment opportunities, or it could be an unexpected phone call, email, text, social media message or a pop-up. Bitcoin and cryptocurrency scams are common. They might ask you to download screen- sharing software to help with the ‘investment opportunity’ and then use your details to take over your account, or apply for credit in your name.
What to look out for
- Requests to give control of your device to process the investment opportunity.
- Clone Firm: A fake website that looks like a real investment company’s site.
- Fake Firm: A completely made-up investment company with a fake name and website.
- Fake account manager/ financial adviser: Someone posing as a genuine financial adviser, claiming to be independent or from a real investment firm.
Protect yourself
Scammers may use tricks to make you think you’re dealing with a real firm or adviser. Follow these steps to stay safe from investment scams:
- Never download software that lets someone take over your device.
- Ignore unexpected investment offers made online, on social media, or through emails, texts, or calls.
- Search for the investment firm or individual on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register and check:
- If they are registered; all individuals and companies providing investment services within the UK must be listed on the FCA register.
- What services they are allowed to offer; if the service they are offering is not listed, this could be a scam.
- Their contact details; if they differ from what you have, it could be a scam. Always use the contact information that is listed on the FCA register.
- Consider getting impartial advice from a financial adviser. Be sure to check the FCA register for your adviser too.
- Talk to trusted friends and family before making any investments.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use offers that seem too good to resist.
- Don’t be rushed into making an investment; genuine financial advisers and investment firms will not pressure you.
- Be aware that fraudsters can fake Caller ID to appear as a real company.
- REMEMBER: Cryptocurrencies are not regulated in the UK, or covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
- Technical Support and IT companies screen sharing scams
This type of scam happens when criminals contact you by email, text, phone call, or social media, pretending to be from a well-known tech support or IT company. They try to convince you to let them control your computer remotely to “fix,” “upgrade,” or “protect” it. They may then ask you to log in to your online banking or provide bank, credit card, or other personal details.
Protect yourself
- Never download software that lets someone control your device.
- Don`t log in to online banking while someone else is connected to your device, even if they seem trustworthy, or are very persistent.
- Don`t transfer money based on instructions from unknown callers, no matter what story they tell you.
- Don`t share personal or banking details with unexpected callers.
- Don`t click on links sent by email, text, or social media; instead, search for the company yourself in your browser.
- Keep your Visa Debit or credit card details private.
- Be aware that scammers can fake Caller ID to make it look like a real company is calling.
To report fraud, you can phone us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the phone numbers below.
Phone from UK
Freephone: 0800 121 7790 (personal customers)
Freephone: 0800 032 1288 (Business On Line and Global Market Customers)
Phone from ROI
Freephone: 1800 946 764
Phone from outside UK and ROI
Not Freephone: 00353 567 757 007
If something looks like fraud on your account, we may phone you or send you a text or email to ask about it.
Report a suspicious email or text
If you think an email or text from Bank of Ireland UK looks suspicious, send it to 365security@boi.com
Lost or stolen card?
If you think your card has been lost or stolen, please phone us right away on these numbers.
We’ll cancel your card as soon as you tell us it’s missing and get a new card sent to the address we have for you in 5 to 7 working days.
See payments you did not make, paid from your account?
If you see payments you did not make, paid from your account, or anything that could be fraud please phone us right away on these numbers.
Shared your online login details?
If you have given your online banking details to someone, please phone us right away on these numbers.