- Never download software that provides someone with access to take over your device.
- Don’t disclose full personal or banking details to an unsolicited caller.
- 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.
- 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.
- Follow us on Twitter @BankofIrelandUK to be informed of trending scams.
Screen Sharing Scams
A screen sharing scam is when a criminal convinces you to download screen sharing software then steal 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 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. The criminal may try to manipulate you into applying for credit in your name for their gain.
What to look out for
When you are dating or befriending 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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 get your money back. 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, or a friend/ family member. 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.
- 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 trusted 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 impersonate Caller ID numbers to make it look as though they are calling from a legitimate company.
- REMEMBER: Cryptocurrencies are not regulated in the UK, or covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
- 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 impersonate 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.
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.