Business Email Compromise

Business email compromise, or CEO fraud, happens when someone pretends to be a top executive from your company. They send an email to an employee, trying to trick them into doing something, like making a payment to a client or supplier.
  • Fake emails are carefully written, often sent from hacked accounts and may seem like they’re from someone you know, like a senior executive.
  • The fraudster usually pushes you to act fast without thinking.
  • They often tell you to make an urgent, large payment to a supplier or creditor, providing the payment details, including the IBAN.
  • The account to pay is usually overseas.
  • The fraudster often says they won’t be available for a few hours or days, claiming they’re in a meeting or catching a flight and that the payment must be made right away.
  • Set clear rules in your company about who can create and approve payments.
  • Be cautious of urgent requests that don’t follow normal company procedures.
  • Always check that the email is really from the person that it claims to be. Call them to confirm before taking any action.
  • Have a clear, documented process for requesting and approving all payments. Review your current procedures if needed.
  • Think about how your business sends and received payment instructions. Email isn’t secure unless it’s encrypted.
  • Don’t trust phone numbers in suspicious emails. Double-check contact information within the company before making any payments.
  • Tell your Bank right away if you get a suspicious email about payments. Contact the Police if you think you have been the victim of fraud.

Protect your business from Email Compromise
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.