Cheque overpayment

Fraudsters sometimes target legitimate sellers of goods or services by posing as new customers and placing an order. The fraudster typically pays the seller a higher amount than agreed ‘by accident’ by cheque or bank draft in a bank branch. The fraudster then pressurises the seller to return all or some of the payment online as quick as possible. Meanwhile, the original cheque or bank draft is rejected as it is usually forged or counterfeit. However, the money returned by the seller will have already been paid directly into the fraudster’s account.


  • Don’t make any refunds until you are satisfied that a genuine payment has been received into your account. If in doubt, refer to your local branch.
  • Always carry out appropriate due diligence when dealing with a new customer, particularly those who require an immediate refund due to overpayment being sent to you.
  • If you are concerned you have been targeted by an overpayment scam, immediately contact Bank of Ireland UK and report to 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.