Suspicious texts (Smishing)

Fraudsters may send texts pretending to be from Bank of Ireland. They target mobile users by sending texts with links to fraudulent websites to trick you into providing your online banking details or card details. Remember: Bank of Ireland will never send you a link asking you to confirm your personal banking details.


  • Text messages claiming to be from your bank, asking you to confirm financial or personal information.
  • Often they claim 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.

If you have received a suspicious text claiming to be from Bank of Ireland, please do the following:

  • Do not respond unless you are entirely satisfied that the text is genuine. If you are not sure, we can check it for you – just send it to 365security@boi.com and we’ll let you know if it was really from us. Remember to include the phone number that the text was sent from, or forward a screenshot of the text if possible.
  • Do not use a phone number provided in the text which could be fake.
  • Do not click on any links.
  • Delete the text.
  • If you have clicked on a suspicious link, call us as soon as possible.

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.

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.

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.