Identity theft (Impersonation)

Identity theft happens when a fraudster steals your personal & financial information and uses it to impersonate you. Then they can do several things: access your bank accounts, open a new current or credit account in your name, change payment details for a supplier, take on new loan/s.


  • Be cautious when posting personal information online, such as on social media. The more information you post online about yourself the easier it may be for a fraudster to steal your identity. Read more in Using Social Media.
  • Never give your full banking logon details or PIN to anyone.
  • Be wary about providing your details to a cold caller.  E.g. don’t give out your full details, such as Name, Address, Date of Birth, Occupation as these can be used to clone your identity to apply for products in your name.
  • Always refuse to allow someone else to view your laptop or take control of your device remotely.
  • Always cancel lost or stolen credit or debit cards immediately.
  • Lock all valuable documents away securely.
  • Clear all information on your device before selling or disposing of it.
  • Shred confidential information such as bank statements before you throw them away.

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.