Vendor Email compromise

Vendor Email Compromise is a type of business email scam where criminals hack the email accounts of trusted vendors. They use these accounts to place large orders or send fake invoices. If the supplier ships the products before getting paid, they end up losing money because the fraudster never makes the payment. In some cases, fraudsters send fake invoices for real payments but change the payment details to their own account.
  • Requests for large shipments, especially electronics.
  • Request for payment to be sent to a new bank account.
  • Invoices that seem genuine but have different bank account details.
  • Think carefully about whether large shipment requests are genuine.
  • If a company asks to change payment details, always verify before making payments.
    • Fraudsters may alter an email address to look like someone you trust or hack their account. Always check email addresses closely.
    • Confirm any payment changes by contacting a known person at the company using contact details you already have, or from the company’s official website. Links or contact details in an email or letter requesting the change could be fraudulent. Don’t use them.
  • Regularly review vendor/supplier records and never accept changes by email without verifying it them directly (see guidance point above).
  • For large payments, especially six figures, it’s good to have face-to-face contact before sending money.
  • Make sure your employees know about this type of fraud and follow these steps to prevent it.
  • Contact your Bank right away if you get a suspicious payment request by email or letter. If you’re a victim of fraud, contact the police.
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.