Smishing

Smishing is when a criminal tries to trick you into divulging personal and financial details through text messages. Criminals may claim to be from a reputable organisation, or from friends and family. Remember: BOIUK or the police will NEVER ask you to transfer money to a ‘safe account’ so ignore such text messages.


What you can do

  • Criminals can send text messages that appear within a genuine thread of text messages. Even if a text message appears within a genuine thread with a reputable organisation don’t assume it’s genuine. Please refer to our Gallery of phishing and smishing examples to see examples of BOI smishing text messages.
  • Don’t click on links that appear within a text message. If an organisation asks for information from you by text message, search for the business using your browser and provide the information through their preferred channels listed on their website.

    Search for the website by typing it into the web browser. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:

    • The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
    • That a closed padlock icon is present.
    • Your browser address window may be green.
  • Report suspected scam text messages to your mobile network provider by forwarding the text message to 7726 (SPAM). By doing this your network provider will look into blocking that phone number to try to stop the criminal targeting other people with the same scam.
  • Send a screenshot of the suspicious text message to 365security@boi.com

Remember Bank of Ireland will never:

  • Send you a text with a link directly to the login page of our online banking channels.
  • Ask you to provide all the digits of your six-digit 365 PIN.
  • Ask you to transfer money out of your account to protect yourself from fraud.

WhatsApp family/ friends text message scams

Known as the “mum and dad” or “friend in need” scam criminals are sending text messages through WhatsApp, claiming to be a friend or family member texting from a new number as they have lost or damaged their phone. Often the text message will start with “Hello mum” or “Hello Dad”, once they receive a reply they will claim that they need urgent funds to buy a new phone, or pay a bill. The criminals then send their bank details to receive the requested payment, and if successful may text again asking for more funds.

How to protect yourself

Criminals are targeting people by making them think that a loved one is in need of cash urgently – if you get a text message as described above take the following steps to protect yourself:

  • Notice that your son/daughter/other family member/ friend’s name is NOT specified on the text message.
  • Don’t assume that the person texting you is genuine – try to contact them by another method, for example through the phone number you already have for them, by email or though social media.
  • Don’t send money without speaking to the person first to confirm the request is genuine.
  • If you find that the request is not genuine:
    • Report suspected scam text messages to your mobile network provider by forwarding the text message to 7726 (SPAM).
    • Send a screenshot of the suspicious text message to 365security@boi.com.
    • Delete the text messages and block the number so the criminal cannot continue to text you.

Parcel scams

Parcel scams occur when a victim is duped into making a payment, or providing their personal/financial information to criminals posing as delivery services. Criminals send text messages posing to be a delivery service, including well-known delivery companies, the criminals claim they have been unable to deliver parcels or large letters and ask for personal and or financial details to be able to arrange delivery of the parcel.

The criminals will then use your personal and/or financial details to try to scam you out of your money. Ways they could use your information include:

  • Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to impersonate you. They can carry out fraudulent activity such as trying to access your bank accounts, opening a credit card account in your name or getting payment from a supplier.
  • Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams occur when criminals dupe an individual into authorising a payment from their bank account. The first four digits of a bank card number are specific to that person’s bank, so if an individual disclosed their card details to a criminal, that criminal can identify the bank that individual banks with, then may call that person posing to be calling from the bank and dupe them into making a payment to a ‘safe account’.

How to protect yourself

Criminals may lead you to believe you are dealing with a genuine delivery service. Follow the below steps to help protect yourself from parcel scams:

  • Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media.
  • Whether you are expecting an item or not, if you receive correspondence to say that an item could not be delivered – Don’t click on the links; check the advice on the retailers / delivery services’ genuine website. Search for the website by typing it into the web browser. When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking:
    • The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’.
    • That a closed padlock icon is present.
    • Your browser address window may be green.
  • Report suspected scam text messages to your mobile network provider by forwarding the text message to 7726 (SPAM).
  • Send a screenshot of the suspicious text message to 365security@boi.com.
  • Delete the text messages and block the number so the criminal cannot continue to text you.

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

Report suspected scam text messages to your mobile network provider by forwarding the text message to 7726 (SPAM).

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.