Security and Fraud

Fraudsters are calling Bank of Ireland UK (BOI UK) customers and tricking them into authorising payments from their account. The fraudster initially informs the customer they are calling to help set up new users on the Business On Line system, once the new user is set up the customer is directed to set up or authorise a payment; this payment is sent to the fraudster. Fraudsters can make a fake call look like it’s coming from a genuine phone number – If you’re not sure hang up.

We are committed to keeping your everyday banking secure so you can manage your accounts and payments with confidence.

To protect your business from fraud, read our guidance Protect your business from Fraud for a checklist of actions you can take.

While we may contact you to discuss the operation of your account, to send you product related messages, or for feedback on your banking experience, please remember the below points, and hang up if something doesn’t feel right.

BOI UK will NEVER:

• Send you a text or email with a link directly to the login page of our online banking channels.
• Send you a text or email with a direct link to your latest e-Statement.
• Ask you to click a link in an email with an urgent warning about suspicious activity on your account. (We may sometimes send you an email to verify a transaction on your account but we will never ask you to provide confidential information or click a link to verify a transaction).
• Ask you to share or send us your full six-digit 365 PIN, four-digit card PIN or Business On Line credentials
• Ask you to send us back your bank card
• Ask you to transfer money out of your account to protect yourself from fraud.
• Request your account information through an onscreen pop-up window.
• Call you to ask you to make a payment to another account.
• Ask you to tell us any ‘one-time password’ or code that you have received from us by text.

BOI UK will ask you for:

• Three random digits from your 6-digit 365 PIN – never more, never less.
• Your full 365 online user ID and
• Either your date of birth or the last four digits of your phone number – never both

We have seen an increase in Invoice Redirection fraud in 2020.

Invoice Redirection fraud is where fraudsters pretend to be a supplier or service provider for your business in order to trick you into changing bank account payee details. They contact you to tell you that their bank account details have changed and to ask you to send all payments to a new account. This is an account controlled by the fraudster.

What to look out for

• The fraudsters may write to your company’s finance or payments department either on forged headed paper or by email, pretending to be one of your suppliers.
• Typically, they tell you that their account details have changed.
• The payee account may be located either in the UK or overseas.
• The fraudster may ask an employee in your company to either send a pending payment to the new account or, alternatively, to ensure that all future payments are sent to the new account.

What you can do

If a company requests a change of payment details, always follow these simple verification steps before making payments:

• Verify the change by contacting a known contact in the company directly, using contact details held on record, or by using a phone number displayed on the company’s website. Links or contact details contained in the email or letter requesting the change could be fraudulent. Don’t use them.
• Fraudsters may change an email address to make it look as though it has come from someone you are used to dealing with. Always check email addresses carefully.
• Regularly review supplier records to ensure they are up to date.
• Ensure that your employees are aware of this type of threat and how to avoid it.
• Contact us immediately if you receive a suspicious email or letter relating to payments or the Police if you think you have been the victim of fraud.

We encourage you to Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

To report online fraud, suspicious activity on your account, or if you have provided personal information in response to a suspicious email, text or phone call.

Call us on:

Northern Ireland

Freephone (Business accounts): 0800 032 1288 (24 hours, 7 days a week). Business online: 0345 309 8123

Great Britain

Business Online: 0345 309 8124

Republic of Ireland

Business Online: 1890 818 265

Abroad

Business Online: +353 1 440 6445

Business Online Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, Bank and Public holidays.

To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts (both personal and business customers), send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com.

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.

Criminals are calling people posing as their bank, they can manipulate the phone number that appears on your caller ID so it appears they are calling from the genuine bank. They are informing customers that their account has been compromised & asking them to transfer funds to a ‘Safe account’. The criminals provide bank account details for an account they control as the ‘safe account’, then quickly transfer the funds from the ‘safe account’ so that the funds cannot be traced or recovered once identified as a fraudulent transaction.

How to protect yourself

Criminals are targeting people by making them think that their account has been compromised, and that you must transfer your funds urgently to protect them. If you get a telephone call as described above take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Don’t assume that the person calling you is genuine, even if the phone number matches the one on the back of your card, or on the banks website.
• Never provide your financial and/or personal information on a call you receive.
• Never send money when you have been asked to transfer funds to a ‘safe account’ – just hang up the call.
• A legitimate company will understand if you want to hang up and call them back on the phone number from their website. Hang up, and call the company on the number provided on their website. 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.
  • Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.
• If you are concerned that you have divulged personal and/or financial details on a call inform your bank as soon as possible by calling the number on your banks website or the number on the back of your card.
• Remember, Bank of Ireland UK will NEVER ask you to transfer money to a ‘safe account’ – if you receive a call like this just hang up.

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

What is a Phone number spoofing scam? Fraudsters can manipulate the phone number that appears on your caller ID so it appears they are calling from a legitimate company. A phone number spoofing scam is when a fraudster calls you from what appears to be a legitimate company and tricks you into providing them with your financial and/or personal information or make a payment.

How can I tell if it’s the legitimate company calling me or a fraudster? It’s difficult to identify spoofing telephone calls, however fraudsters calling you have an agenda; they want to obtain your personal and/or financial information. As a tactic they often add an urgency or a threat to the call, for example they may say that your bank account or bank card has been compromised.

What should I do if I receive a call and have been asked for my information?

• Never provide your financial and/or personal information on a call you receive.
• Fraudsters who call your landline can stay on the line for up to 5 minutes after you hang up – wait for more than five minutes before you make another call, or use your mobile.
• A legitimate company will understand if you want to hang up and call them back on the phone number from their website.Hang up, and call the company on the number provided on their website.

Bank of Ireland UK will NEVER ask you to transfer money to a new, or ‘safe’ account so ignore such calls or texts.

Take Five to stop fraud

We encourage you to Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

The National Crime Agency ‘NCA’ (UK) recently issued an alert in relation to Malicious Software (Malware). This arises from the identification and shut-down by international Law Enforcement authorities of over 1m compromised computers (a ‘botnet’). The Agency is advising the public that they have two weeks before hackers regroup and recommence their criminal activities against unsuspecting and unprotected computer users.

The authorities indicate that if your computer does not run Windows, then this alert may not apply directly to you. Other problems might though, and in order to keep yourself protected, you should always keep your antivirus up to date.

Advice (particularly for Windows users)

You can protect yourself by:

• Making sure security software is installed on your PC and is kept updated by running scans
• Check that your computer operating systems and applications are up to date
• Regularly back up all your files, especially Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents along with your Photos and any other items you would not like to lose. Store this information securely (encrypted) in a separate storage device
• Do not open attachments in emails unless you are 100% certain that they are authentic

For further information Get Safe Online is providing advice, guidance and tools on its website at www.getsafeonline.org/nca

Fraudsters are sending fake emails and letters claiming to be from the National Crime Agency (NCA). The emails and letters:

• Threaten that the NCA has evidence of the recipient accessing and viewing illegal content online (“child pornography” or “illegal pornographic content”).
• Requests payment of a fine to avoid prosecution.
• Demands a response within a specified time.
• Warns that if payment is not received, a warrant for the recipient’s arrest will be issued and they will be added to the sex offenders register.
• Refers to relevant legislation.

Please Stop, Think, Check.

The NCA, your bank or any other official organisation will not send unsolicited emails or letters requesting money, your financial details or your personal information.

If you receive any correspondence like this please contact the NCA.

The UK has seen a rise in people falling victim to Romance scams during Lockdown. The rise comes as more people have turned to online dating during 2020 due to social distancing restrictions. The purpose of this Fraud Alert is to inform Bank of Ireland UK customers about Romance scams and how to protect yourself, your friends and family from Romance scams this Valentine’s Day.

New data from UK Finance reveals a 20 per cent increase in bank transfer romance fraud between January and November 2020 compared to the previous year, with the total value of these scams rising by 12 per cent to £18.5 million. The average loss per victim reported to UK Finance members was £7,850, highlighting the significant impact this type of fraud can have on victims’ finances.

What is a Romance scam?

A Romance scam is when a person is duped into sending money or gifts to a fraudster because they believe they are in a genuine relationship and are sending them to their ‘partner’.

Romance scams usually start with people meeting online; through dating websites or social media. Fraudsters often use fake profiles and spend a lot of time getting to know the victim to convince them that they are in a genuine relationship. Once the fraudster believes they have gained the victim’s trust they will ask for money or gifts that seem genuine; the fraudster could say they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for travel costs if the victim lives overseas. There are numerous reasons, but the key is that money is requested, yet neither party have ever met.

What to look out for

When you are dating someone online, look out for the below alarm bells:

• Requests for money or gifts from someone you have never met in person.
• Requests for your personal data (e.g. a copy of your passport to arrange travel).
• Does the person’s profile look genuine? You can complete a reverse image search to find if their profile picture has been taken from somewhere else.

When your friends or family are dating someone online, look out for the below warning signs:

• Being secretive about their relationship.
• Sending money or gifts to someone they have never met in person.
• Committing to someone very quickly, when they have not met in person.

Protect yourself

• Be cautious when providing your personal information. The more information you provide about yourself the easier it is for a fraudster to steal your identity.
• If you notice any of the above alarm bells don’t be pressured into transferring your money, or spending your money to buy gifts.
• Never reveal your banking information to anyone, including your account details, online banking information, card number & pin.

No matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person it’s important that you do not:

• Send them any money
• Allow them access to your bank account
• Transfer money on their behalf
• Take a loan out for them
• Provide copies of your personal documents such as passports or driving licenses
• Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice
• Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes
• Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

• Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
• Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
• Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
• Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

If you think you have been a victim of a Romance scam, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed - you are not alone. Contact us immediately on:

• Northern Ireland Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week). 365 Online: 0345 7 365 555
• Great Britain 365 Online: 0345 7 365 333
• Republic of Ireland 365 Online: 1890 365 200/ 0818 365 365
• Abroad 365 Online: +44 345 7365 555

365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.

To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts, send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com

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.

Fraudsters are contacting members of the public claiming to be from Bank of Ireland UK (BOIUK) offering information on investments/ investment bonds. Bank of Ireland UK does not offer investment services. If you receive any correspondence claiming to be from BOIUK, offering investment services this is a scam. You may receive this correspondence by phone call, email, text, post, or through social media messages.

Examples of the BOIUK Investments scam emails

Please click on the below links to see examples of the BOIUK Investment Scam emails.

Example 1

Example 2

How to keep safe

BOIUK does not offer investment services, if you receive any correspondence claiming to be from BOIUK  offering investment services, do not respond and do not provide your personal details or financial information.

If you are considering an investment, before you make any decisions, please remain vigilant against scams. You can do this by independently checking the authenticity of the company you are dealing with. You can check the FCA Warning List of firms to avoid. Learn more by visiting the for guidance on how to avoid investment scams.

We encourage you to Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

You should always

In regards to phone calls/emails/text messages

• Be suspicious of any unexpected call/text message from a ‘financial advisor’ or any type of account manager who offers you investment opportunities
• Be especially doubtful if the offer is ‘time-limited’ or offering very high returns, also even if the offer seems reasonable still question it
• Be alert if they put pressure on you, don’t leave you enough time to think about the investment and the risks that this entails
• It is a red flag if they keep calling/messaging/emailing you and try to convince you taking the deal after you refused their offer
• Preferably either reject these calls or after considering the above point hang up on them
• In case of text messages/WhatsApp/Facebook/Telegram etc messages/emails mark as spam and block these numbers/email addresses

Finding a good investment deal online?

• Be wary of adverts offering investment or crypto opportunities on social media
• Check the offer/s using the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Warning List online tool
• Also check if the firm is regulated: FCA Financial Services Register
• If it in an unregulated firm that means the firm is not authorised to give financial advise to UK residents and you will not receive any protection
• Never invest more than you can afford to lose and never take on credit commitments e.g. loans to invest
• Always consider all the risks for short term and long term – it might benefit you in a short term however it can have consequences in the long run
• Use a legitimate source to find a financial advisor like this: Getting financial advice - Citizens Advice
• Use the FCA website to see unauthorised firms and advisors: Unauthorised firms and individuals | FCA
• Preferable invest with a firm that is UK based rather overseas

Report Fraud

If you suspect suspicious activity on your account, or if you have provided personal information in response to a suspicious email, text or telephone call, please contact us as soon as possible on the below contact numbers:

Northern Ireland Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week). 365 Online: 0345 7 365 555

Great Britain 365 Online: 0345 7 365 333

Republic of Ireland 365 Online: 1890 365 200 / 0818 365 365

Abroad 365 Online: +44 345 7365 555

365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.

To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts, send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com

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.

Screen scraping is the act of taking the information that a person or company has posted on their website or social networking page and then using that information for another purpose i.e. the purpose of defrauding. Cybercriminals can use screen scraping to impersonate genuine companies selling anything from expensive jewellery, designer handbags, cars or even holiday lets!

Sadly screen scraping can also be used on fake dating profiles, which can be used to snare someone into a romance scam.

What to look out for

If you are ever in doubt, use Google to find out if the image has been used elsewhere on the web:

1. 1. Save image of the item you’re looking at to your computer / phone
2. 2. Go to Google Images -https://images.google.com
3. 3. Click Search by image (camera icon)
4. 4. Drag the image or upload it
5. 5. Select the image you’ve saved in Step 1
6. 6. Click Open or Chose

If the image comes back with a number of search results, it’s been previously used. This could be indicative of a scam, especially if the seller location was different.

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to identify false items such as items for sale, property (including holiday lets) or people misrepresenting themselves – especially online.

You should always

• Use established sites when purchasing online
• Check if the seller offers a returns policy, terms and conditions and a privacy policy
• Consider if the price is reasonable – or potentially too good to be true
• Check the wording for spelling mistakes or poor grammar
• Check seller reviews and consider:
  • How long has the seller been established
  • Are there too many positive reviews, bearing the above in mind
  • Are all the reviews overly positive – is the grammar correct
• Avoid paying off-platform if possible – ideally Bank transfers should not be made
• If purchasing a large item – such as a vehicle – arrange to pay a small deposit and balance upon collection. If the seller refuses then it may be appropriate to consider why
• Recommend that you consider seeing (using something similar to Google Image Search) to see if the same pictures have previously been used.

Bank of Ireland will never

• Send you an email with a link directly to the login page of our online banking channels.
• Send you an email with a direct link to your latest e-Statement.
• Ask you to click a link in an email with an urgent warning about suspicious activity on your account. (We may sometimes send you an email to verify a transaction on your account but we will never ask you to provide confidential information or click a link to do this).
• Ask you to transfer money out of your account to protect yourself from fraud.
• Ask you to share your full six-digit 365 PIN or Business On Line credentials

Bank of Ireland UK would like to warn our customers about Cost of Living scams, and what you can do to protect yourself from falling victim to a Cost of Living scams.

What is a Cost of Living scam?

Fraudsters will take the opportunity to abuse the cost of living crisis. The government announced on the 26th of May that they provide support for vulnerable households across the UK, also there is an energy bills discount due to come in October furthermore they offer a payment of £150 council tax rebate to households living in council tax bands A – D (these will be made from April 2022 and will not need to be paid back), etc. These payment are automatic, which means there is no application process.

For more information please see the links below:

Council tax rebate: factsheet - GOV.UK

Millions of most vulnerable households will receive £1,200 of help with cost of living - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Government support for energy bills and the cost of living - factsheets - GOV.UK

Cost of Living Payment - GOV.UK

What to look out for

• If someone contacts you offering deals and refunds on energy bills
• Fraudsters can set up fake loan websites offering low interest rates, asking for you to pay a one-off admin fee etc in advance
• If someone pretends to be calling you from the council, or the government requesting your bank details to process payments
• If someone comes to your home and offering a price cut on your prepayment meter – decline the offer

Protect yourself

• HMRC won’t send you an email, text message, message in an application (e.g. WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram, Messenger etc) asking for personal and/or payment information
• HMRC do not leave a voicemail threatening legal action
• HMRC do not call you threatening arrest
• HMRC use QR codes to help you complete your payments
• Do not click on any links received by emails or texts
• HMRC do not rush or threaten you to act

Please see links for more information:

Identify HMRC related scam phone calls, emails and text messages - GOV.UK

Avoid and report internet scams and phishing: Report scam HMRC emails, texts, phone calls and letters - GOV.UK

Bank of Ireland UK would like to warn our customers about screen sharing scams, and what you can do to protect yourself from falling victim to a screen sharing scam.

What is a screen sharing scam?

A screen sharing scam is when a criminal convinces you to download screen sharing software then steals your personal and financial information for their gain. You may believe that you’re dealing with a legitimate company, or with a genuine friend/ partner you trust. The screen sharing software is usually legitimate software, however once you have downloaded the software and allow the criminal to take control of your screen, they can obtain your personal and financial information and use it to take over your account and to apply for accounts/credit in your name.

Criminals are using sophisticated tactics to make people believe they are dealing with a trustworthy individual/business and that’s why it’s safe to download screen sharing software. Some common tactics are listed below.

Romance/ friendship screen sharing scams

Romance scams usually start with people meeting online; through dating websites or social media. Criminals often use fake profiles and spend a lot of time getting to know you to convince you that you are in a genuine relationship. Once the criminal believes they have gained your trust they will ask you to download screen sharing software. The criminal will then use your personal and/or financial information to either take over your account, or to apply for credit in your name.

What to look out for

When you are dating someone online, look out for the below alarm bells:

• Requests for you to download screen sharing software.
• Requests for you to apply for a loan or other banking product in your name.
• Requests for your personal data (e.g. a copy of your passport to arrange travel).
• Requests for money or gifts from someone you have never met in person.
• Does the person’s profile look genuine? You can complete a reverse image search to find if their profile picture has been taken from somewhere else.

Protect yourself

• Never download software that provides someone with access to take over your device.
• Be cautious when providing your personal information. The more information you provide about yourself the easier it is for a criminal to steal your identity.
• If you notice any of the above alarm bells don’t be pressured into downloading screen sharing software, transferring money, sending gifts, or giving someone your personal and financial details.
• Never reveal your banking information to anyone, including your account details, online banking information, card number & pin.
• Never apply for credit in your name with the intention that the funds are for someone else.
• Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.

Investment Screen sharing scams

An investment scam is when a criminal convinces you to move money to an account, you will believe your funds have been moved to an investment account and that you will start to see returns on your investment in the future months/ years. However, in reality your funds have been moved to an account controlled by the criminal, and it is unlikely you will recover these finds. Criminals are now using screen sharing software to assist them with investment scams.

The criminal reaches out to you pretending to be from a legitimate investments company. This could be after you have researched investment opportunities, or it could be an out of the blue phone call, email, text social media message or a pop-up. Bitcoin/ cryptocurrency scams are a common Investment scam in 2022. The criminal convinces you that you should download the screen sharing software to assist with the ‘investment opportunity’ then uses your personal and/or financial information to either take over your account, or to apply for credit in your name.

What to look out for

• Being asked to give control of your device to process the investment opportunity.
• Clone Firm: A clone firm is when criminals clone the website of a genuine investment firm.
• Fake Firm: A fake firm is when a criminal sets up a fake investment firm; they will create a fake investment firm name, and may set up a fake website.
• Fake account manager/ financial adviser: A Fake account manager/ financial adviser is a criminal who will pose as a genuine financial adviser, they may inform you that they are independent, or work for a genuine investment firm.

Protect yourself

Criminals may lead you to believe you are dealing with a genuine firm/financial adviser by using fraud tactics. Follow the below steps to help protect yourself from investment scams:

• Never download software that provides someone with access to take over your device.
• Reject unexpected investment offers made online, through social media, by email, text and telephone calls.
• REMEMBER: Cryptocurrencies are not regulated in the UK, or covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
• Search the investment firm/individual details on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register and check:
  • If investment firm/individual is registered; all individuals and companies providing investment services within the UK must be listed on the FCA register.
  • What activities and services the firm/individual have permissions to provide; if the activity or service the firm/individual is offering is not listed this could be a scam.
  • The firm/individual’s contact details; if these differ to the contact details you have for the firm/individual this is likely a scam. You should always use the contact information for the investment firm/individual that is listed on the FCA register.
• Consider getting impartial advice through a financial adviser. Please complete the FCA register checks listed above on your financial adviser.
• Talk to your trusteed friends and family about your potential investments.
• Remember that if it’s too good to be true it probably is, criminals will try to convince you into investing with a too good to be true offer.
• Don’t be rushed into making an investment; genuine financial advisers and investment firms will not pressure you into making a rushed decision.
• Beware that fraudsters can spoof Caller ID numbers to make it look as though they are calling from a legitimate company.
• Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.

Technical Support and IT companies screen sharing scams

This occurs when criminals contact you by email, text, phone call or social media message pretending to be from a reputable technical support or IT company. They persuade you to allow them to take control of your computer remotely so that they can fix, upgrade or protect your computer. They may ask you to log on to your online banking account or ask for bank, credit card or other personal details.

Protect yourself

• Never download software that provides someone with access to take over your device.
• Never log on to your online banking while a third party is connected to your device, even if the caller is very persistent, or someone you think you can trust.
• Never transfer money out of your account based on an instruction from a cold caller. Or someone you have never met, no matter what story you are told.
• Don’t disclose full personal or banking details to an unsolicited caller.
• Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text or social media. Instead search of the company using your browser.
• Don’t disclose your Visa Debit or credit card details.
• Beware that fraudsters can spoof Caller ID numbers to make it look as though they are calling from a legitimate company.
• Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

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.
  • Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

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.
• Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

Criminals are calling people posing as their bank, they can manipulate the phone number that appears on your caller ID so it appears they are calling from the genuine bank. They are informing customers that their account has been compromised & asking them to transfer funds to a ‘Safe account’. The criminals provide bank account details for an account they control as the ‘safe account’, then quickly transfer the funds from the ‘safe account’ so that the funds cannot be traced or recovered once identified as a fraudulent transaction.

How to protect yourself

Criminals are targeting people by making them think that their account has been compromised, and that you must transfer your funds urgently to protect them. If you get a telephone call as described above take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Don’t assume that the person calling you is genuine, even if the phone number matches the one on the back of your card, or on the banks website.
• Never provide your financial and/or personal information on a call you receive.
• Never send money when you have been asked to transfer funds to a ‘safe account’ – just hang up the call.
• A legitimate company will understand if you want to hang up and call them back on the phone number from their website. Hang up, and call the company on the number provided on their website. 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.
  • Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.
• If you are concerned that you have divulged personal and/or financial details on a call inform your bank as soon as possible by calling the number on your banks website or the number on the back of your card.
• Remember, Bank of Ireland UK will NEVER ask you to transfer money to a ‘safe account’ – if you receive a call like this just hang up.

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

Criminals have become extremely sophisticated in investment scams. UK Finance found that the value of losses reported in the UK from investment scams in the first half of 2021 was £107.7M, this is a 95% increase compared to the first half of 2020, which seen £55.2M losses reported in the UK from investment scams. As it is evident that investment scams are becoming more sophisticated BOI UK would like to inform our customers about investment scams, and how you can protect yourself.

What is an investment scam?

An investment scam is when a criminal convinces a victim to move their money to an account, the victim will believe their funds have been moved to an investment account and that they will start to see returns on their investment in the future months/ years. However, in reality the victim’s funds have been moved to an account controlled by the criminal, and it is unlikely the victim will recover their finds.

Look out for the below types of investment scams when investing.

• Clone Firm: A clone firm is when criminals clone the website of a genuine investment firm. They will reach out to potential victims by putting adverts on social media and search engines, they may also reach out to potential victims by phone call, email and text message, and provide the link to their clone website.
• Fake Firm: A fake firm is when a criminal sets up a fake investment firm; they will create a fake investment firm name, and may set up a fake website. They will reach out to potential victims through online adverts on social media and search engines, and by phone call, emails and text messages.
• Fake account manager/ financial adviser: A Fake account manager/ financial adviser is a criminal who will pose as a genuine financial adviser, they may inform you that they are independent, or work for a genuine investment firm.

How to protect yourself

Criminals may lead you to believe you are dealing with a genuine firm/financial adviser by using fraud tactics. Follow the below steps to help protect yourself from investment scams:

1. Reject unexpected investment offers made online, through social media, by email, text and telephone calls.
2. Search the investment firm/individual details on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register and check:
   • If investment firm/individual is registered; all individuals and companies providing investment services within the UK must be listed on the FCA register.
   • What activities and services the firm/individual have permissions to provide; if the activity or service the firm/individual is offering is not listed this could be a scam.
   • The firm/individual’s contact details; if these differ to the contact details you have for the firm/individual this is likely a scam. You should always use the contact information for the investment firm/individual that is listed on the FCA register.
3. Consider getting impartial advice through a financial adviser. Please complete the FCA register checks listed above on your financial adviser.
4. Talk to your trusteed friends and family about your potential investments.
5. Remember that if it’s too good to be true it probably is, criminals will try to convince you into investing with a too good to be true offer.
6. Don’t be rushed into making an investment; genuine financial advisers and investment firms will not pressure you into making a rushed decision.

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

• Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
• Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
• Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
• Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

What is a money mule?

A money mule is someone who accepts the profits of crime into their bank account, then transfers most of the funds from their bank account to another account/s as instructed by criminals, and keeps some funds as payment for helping the criminal.

How does someone become a money mule?

Criminals approach people in person and online with offers to make quick and easy money. However, accepting and moving funds on behalf of a criminal is illegal, and can have serious consequences.

Why are students more vulnerable to becoming a money mule?

Students are more vulnerable because criminals target students - criminals approach students by contacting them near to school, college, university, sports clubs, or other places young people socialise. Criminals also attempt contact through social media, or job advertisements that promise a quick and easy way to make money.

What you can do as a student/ guardian of a student to keep safe

• Beware of job advertisements that might seem genuine but promise a quick and easy way to make money, and simply ask that you have a bank account.
• Don’t be tempted to allow your own bank account to be used to move money to other accounts.
• Always verify any ‘working from home’ opportunities to make sure that the business is legitimate, such as by checking their contact details (address, landline phone number, email address and website).
• Never share your Banking 365 logon details, passwords, or security codes with anyone, criminals may try to take over your account and use it as a money mule account.
• Remember that moving stolen money is illegal and can have serious consequences.

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

• Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
• Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
• Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
• Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

What is a Phone number spoofing scam? Fraudsters can manipulate the phone number that appears on your caller ID so it appears they are calling from a legitimate company. A phone number spoofing scam is when a fraudster calls you from what appears to be a legitimate company and tricks you into providing them with your financial and/or personal information or make a payment.

How can I tell if it’s the legitimate company calling me or a fraudster? It’s difficult to identify spoofing telephone calls, however fraudsters calling you have an agenda; they want to obtain your personal and/or financial information. As a tactic they often add an urgency or a threat to the call, for example they may say that your bank account or bank card has been compromised.

What should I do if I receive a call and have been asked for my information?

• Never provide your financial and/or personal information on a call you receive.
• Fraudsters who call your landline can stay on the line for up to 5 minutes after you hang up – wait for more than five minutes before you make another call, or use your mobile.
• A legitimate company will understand if you want to hang up and call them back on the phone number from their website.Hang up, and call the company on the number provided on their website.

Bank of Ireland UK will NEVER ask you to transfer money to a new, or ‘safe’ account so ignore such calls or texts.

Take Five to stop fraud

We encourage you to Take Five by following the below steps:

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
5. Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

The purpose of this alert is to warn Bank of Ireland UK customers about Smishing scams and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud.

What it Smishing?

Smishing is when a fraudster sends you a text message posing to be from a legitimate business & tricks you into providing them with your financial or personal information.

What does a Smishing text look like?

Smishing text messages can seem genuine as they can appear in the existing thread of text messages with a legitimate business. Some things to look out for include:

• The threat that urgent action is needed or there will be negative consequences.
• They may ask you to click on a link directing you to a website, or to provide a number to call in order to “verify” or “update” your personal current account.
• Fake links lead to fake websites where you may be asked to provide personal information. The fraudster then uses that information to transfer money from your account.
• Text messages claiming to be from your bank, asking you to confirm financial or personal information.

What you can do

Don’t focus on the details of the text message & follow this simple rule: If you receive a text message with a link asking for your financial or personal information do not click on the link. If you think the request for information is genuine, contact the business directly.

You should never:

• Click on or open suspicious links and attachments.
• Respond to unsolicited text messages.
• Share your banking details, including your full online banking PIN, or other personal information if requested via text message.
• Use a phone number provided in the text which could be fake.

If you have clicked on a suspicious link, call us as soon as possible on the emergency contact numbers listed below.

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.

#Take Five to stop fraud

We encourage you to #Take Five by following the below steps:

• Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
• Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
• Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
• Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.

Report Fraud

If you suspect suspicious activity on your account, or if you have provided personal information in response to a suspicious email, text or telephone call, please contact us as soon as possible on the below contact numbers:

Northern Ireland

Freephone (Personal accounts): 0800 121 7790 (24 hours, 7 days a week). 365 Online: 0345 7 365 555

Great Britain

365 Online: 0345 7 365 333

Republic of Ireland

365 Online: 1890 365 200 / 0818 365 365

Abroad

365 Online: +44 345 7365 555

365 Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Bank and Public holidays: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Closed.

To report suspicious Bank of Ireland related emails or texts, send the suspicious email or text to 365security@boi.com

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.

The National Crime Agency ‘NCA’ (UK) recently issued an alert in relation to Malicious Software (Malware). This arises from the identification and shut-down by international Law Enforcement authorities of over 1m compromised computers (a ‘botnet’). The Agency is advising the public that they have two weeks before hackers regroup and recommence their criminal activities against unsuspecting and unprotected computer users.

The authorities indicate that if your computer does not run Windows, then this alert may not apply directly to you. Other problems might though, and in order to keep yourself protected, you should always keep your antivirus up to date.

Advice (particularly for Windows users)

You can protect yourself by:

• Making sure security software is installed on your PC and is kept updated by running scans
• Check that your computer operating systems and applications are up to date
• Regularly back up all your files, especially Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents along with your Photos and any other items you would not like to lose. Store this information securely (encrypted) in a separate storage device
• Do not open attachments in emails unless you are 100% certain that they are authentic

For further information Get Safe Online is providing advice, guidance and tools on its website at www.getsafeonline.org/nca

Bank of Ireland UK would like to remind our customers to remain vigilant against fraud this Christmas period. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching, criminals are attempting to target new victims. Please see below for information on the common Christmas period scams, and how you can protect yourself.

Purchase Scams

Purchase scams occur when a victim pays in advance for goods or services that they never receive. Criminals often use social media platforms, online market place and auction websites to target victims, the victim may not realise they have been a victim of a scam until they do not receive the goods or services they paid for.

How to protect yourself

Criminals may lead you to believe you are dealing with a genuine seller by using fraud tactics. Follow the below steps to help protect yourself from purchase scams:

• Remember, if it’s too good to be true it probably is. Do some research on the person /company/ website before making a purchase.
• Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text message or social media. 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.
• Ask to see the product in person with the relevant documentation to prove ownership before making a payment.
• Where possible, use a credit card as you may receive protection under Section 75 of the Credit Consumer Act.
• Use the secure payment method recommended by reputable online retailers and auction sites and be suspicious of any requests to pay by bank transfer.

Take Five to Stop Fraud

We encourage you to #ShopSavvy this Christmas period, and to #Take Five by following the below steps:

• Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
• Stay in control – don’t panic or make a decision you’ll regret.
• If you're asked to pay by bank transfer not with a secure payment option - that is a red flag
• You should not be asked for security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
• Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting or you calling back
• You can always change your mind and not go with an offer if you feel it is dodgy

Report Fraud

Contact us straight away if you are concerned, suspect fraudulent activity on your account or have lost your payment card.

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.

Check if the Bank of Ireland UK text is legitimate

You can check the legitimacy of any Bank of Ireland UK text you receive, using our new ‘TextChecker’ service, simply send the word ‘Check’ followed by the Bank of Ireland UK message you want to verify, to 50365.

We will reply to confirm if we sent the Text Message to you or if it’s a scam.

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

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.

Check that your cards and passport are still in date

We automatically replace cards about 2 weeks before the end of the month that your card expires. Your card will work for the entire month shown on the expiry date. In other words, if the expiry is shown as 10/26, the card will work until 31 October 2026.

Make sure we have your up-to-date contact details before you travel

It’s important that we have the right email and mobile, to make sure your transactions abroad (particularly outside Europe) are really yours. We might disable a card, if we can’t confirm that the genuine cardholder is using it. But it’s likely that we’ll try to get in touch with you to make sure this is a genuine transaction.

Key things to remember:

• Before you travel, please check your contact details are correct on the profile page of our mobile app. Simply click the profile icon on the top right of the main page and confirm your contact details are correct;
• Make sure that you check your text messages and emails, when you’re abroad so you don’t miss any that we might send;
• Be aware that if your mobile data is disabled or out of coverage, you will not be able to receive notifications, if we are trying to contact you;
• Where possible, use chip and PIN for transactions.

Lost and stolen cards: some important numbers

We’re here to help 24/7. Keep our emergency helpline numbers somewhere safe, so you can cancel any lost or stolen Bank of Ireland cards and organise replacements. We recommend writing our contact numbers down somewhere handy, along with other important numbers (for example, travel insurance, airline helpdesk), as well as keeping them on your phone or device.

• +353 567 757 007 (outside the UK)
• +44 0800 121 7790 (within the UK)

Keep your cards separate

If you have both credit and debit cards with you when you travel, we recommend that you keep them separate so that if you lose one, you still have your other card.

Emergency cash

Visa can arrange for cash to be available at a location near you if you need money when you’re waiting for a replacement card, having card acceptance difficulties or simply need cash in hand. We’re available to help you 24/7.

Contact Visa:

+44 207 9378 111 (outside the UK)

+44 0800 89 1725 0800 89 1725 (within the UK)

Remember: you can temporarily freeze your card when you’re abroad using the B365 app.

• Check your purchase receipt before you sign or enter your pin – this is to make sure it’s for the correct amount;
• Keep receipts from cash machines and check them on B365 app;
• Do not give your PIN to anyone, including anyone claiming to be from the police or a card company;
• Always keep a close eye on your cards when using them to pay. Do not let your cards out of your sight, to avoid the possibility of your card being skimmed (illegally collecting data from the magnetic stripe of your card).

We’re available to help you 24/7.

Contact us: +353 567 757 007 (outside the UK).

Remember: you can temporarily freeze your card when you’re abroad using the B365 app.

Rental accommodation scams aim to trick you into paying rent for property that doesn’t exist or is not actually available to rent. These scams happen throughout the year, but there’s an increase in the holiday season.

In some cases, fraudsters will say that they’re out of the country and unable to meet you when you arrive but will ask for money upfront or for a deposit to hold the property. There are even cases where fraudsters have hired properties to use for viewings to trick renters into handing over a deposit. They may even provide fake keys.

Remember to Stop, Think, Check.

How to avoid holiday rental accommodation scams

• Use established letting agencies;
• Be extra vigilant when searching for a rental property online and not through an established letting agency;
• Ask for identification from the landlord or letting agent (for example, a driving licence);
• Get a second opinion from a trusted family member or friend;
• And always remember – if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!

If you think you have fallen victim to a rental accommodation scam, we’re available to help you 24/7, call us on:

• +353 567 757 007 (outside the UK)
• +44 0800 121 7790 (within the UK)

Remember: you can temporarily freeze your card when you’re abroad using the B365 app.

• Use well-lit, properly-maintained cash machines, beside a bank if you can as these usually have security cameras and are less likely to be tampered with.
• Avoid using a cash machine that is in poor condition, or appears to be altered in some way.

Be aware of Shoulder Surfing – Don’t get side-tracked by others when you’re using the machine and take care not to let anyone see your PIN. Memorise your PIN, don’t write it down.

• Have your card ready when you go to cash machines, to avoid searching through your wallet or handbag to find it;
• Make sure you don’t let others see your PIN, when typing it in;
• Memorise your PIN and do NOT leave it in a wallet or purse along with your card;
• Remember the basic steps. It’s just like using a cash machine at home:
  1. Insert your card and choose your language
  2. Enter your PIN and the amount you want to withdraw
  3. Remove your card, collect your cash and keep your receipt
• If your card is lost or stolen, or if you have problems using your card, call us immediately on +353 567 757 007 (outside the UK). We’re available to help you 24/7.
• If you need to get cash, be aware that many countries only allow a maximum withdrawal of €100 or £100.
• Fees and charges may apply when using cash machines abroad. Please see the terms and conditions at Travel Banking

Remember: you can temporarily freeze your card when you’re abroad using the B365 app.

Also remember that your phone is more than your contacts, photos and messages, if you have your bank cards stored in your digital wallet or if there is access to banking apps it’s important to keep it secure. Make sure that where possible you’ve enabled fingerprint or face biometrics instead of using codes which fraudsters might see.

Feeling that you’re being pressured to pay for something at a highly inflated price?

If this happens or you feel under pressure to make a payment, report the matter to the local authorities and contact us immediately on +353 567 757 007 (outside the UK). We’re available to help you 24/7.

Remember: you can temporarily freeze your card when you’re abroad using the B365 app.

Stop, Think, Check… and together we won’t let the Fraudsters win.