Fraud Awareness

Criminals can use fake advertising and websites to lure you into providing your debit card information. Once you have either, entered your debit card details to authenticate a purchase or provided a One Time Passcode (OTP) to complete the payment, the fraudster / fake website now has stolen your card details and can spend your hard-earned money.

Here are some tips for recognising when a website isn’t all that it may seem and how you can keep your debit card details safe online.

Spotting Fake online retailers

• Look for a ‘padlock’ symbol in the address bar or browser.
  • This normally indicates the site is encrypted so your activity can’t be intercepted.

This should be combined with other checks as fraudsters can copy or buy these padlocks, so it isn’t a guarantee the website is safe.

Look closely at websites before you use your Debit Card

• Are there any grammar or typo errors?
• Have they a registered business address?
• Have they a good returns policy?
• Are there positive Google reviews?

If anything looks unusual, DO NOT make a purchase from them!

Review the social media & contact information:

• Are there genuine followings and legitimate posts?
• Do they provide a physical phone number and email address?
  • Try a quick call to test the customer service to see if the company exists by speaking with a representative, if possible, send an email, automated response or bounce back? Be aware, if you receive an automated response or bounce back be on alert this may be a fraudulent website?

SMS KEY ADVICE: IFAW1: ENSURE you use trusted websites when shopping or transacting online. If the price is too good to be true, trust your instincts, it’s likely to be a scam!

If you believe you have used an untrustworthy or fake website, or if you have any concerns regarding your Current Account or Debit Card activity, contact Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333.

For more information, please visit https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/

Fake SMS WhatsApp messaging – referred to as the ‘Dear Mum/Dad Scam.’

This scam involves fraudsters posing as family members to manipulate victims into transferring money.

• Parents are targeted by criminals pretending to be one of their children, saying they are texting from a new number as their phone has been lost or damaged.
• They typically begin the conversation with “Hello Mum” or “Hello Dad” and then ask for their parents to transfer money urgently as they need to buy a new phone or pay a bill.
• Typically, the conversation on WhatsApp, or via text message, is started by an automated bot, and then forwarded to a human who can communicate with the victim if they engage.
• Some can take weeks because they believe that, if they can really dupe those people, it might be worth it!!

Impersonating family members is a new tactic by criminals to undermine people’s mental safeguards against being defrauded.

• These scammers believe if you can add the psychological element into a scam, they work far better than the previously used phishing emails thrown out as a net.
• When you are called Mum or Dad, that is what many people would have in their phonebook. Preying on the heartstrings by saying they have lost their phone – it fits in with what is very likely.
• It is easy for criminals to obtain a database of names, phone numbers and dates of birth through the dark web and social media channels.

WhatsApp is designed to protect people from unwanted contact, which is why, whenever you get a message from someone who isn’t in your contacts, it should ask if you want to block or report them.

If you believe you have been victim of these message types, or if you have any concerns regarding your Current Account or Debit Card activity, contact Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333.

For more information, please visit https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/

This is a scam where fraudsters send text messages to random mobile phones – the text messages claim to come from a reputable organisation such as your Credit Union, Bank, or a service provider e.g., a mobile phone company.

A criminal can disguise an email address, display name, phone number, text message, or website URL to convince a target that they are interacting with a known, trusted source.

Criminals use a technique called ‘spoofing’ to make it look like you are being contacted by a trusted organisation e.g., your Credit Union. These scam calls or texts can often appear in genuine message threads making them difficult to spot.

• The message will typically ask you to click on a link to a website or to call a phone number to “verify”, “update” or to “reactivate” your account. The website link leads to a bogus website and the phone number leads to a fraudster pretending to be the legitimate company. The criminal attempts to get you to disclose personal, financial or security information, which will then be used to steal your money.
• These messages often attempt to alarm you, claiming that urgent action is needed, or it will have negative consequences.

If you believe you have been victim of these ‘Fake Messages’ or if you have any concerns regarding your Current Account or Debit Card activity, contact Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333.

For more information, please visit https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/

‘Smishing’ is the attempt by fraudsters to trick you into handing over personal information such as your Credit Union details, usernames, or passwords by clicking on a link they have sent you via SMS or WhatsApp or email.

They pretend to be from a trustworthy source such as your Credit Union and the information they gain can then be used to access your Current Account or Debit Cards or Online Banking account.

• The criminal typically sends thousands of generic SMS messages to people whose phone numbers have been obtained from an unknown source, in the hope of getting a ‘hit’.
• These SMS Messages tend to have generic greetings such as “Dear Customer” or “Account Holder”.
• In some cases, a tactic called “spear phishing” is used. In these cases, the fraudster has some details about you (frequently sourced through social media) and may use your name or some other specific detail about you in the email.

If you believe you have been victim as a result of clicking on a Fake Links responded to a message of this type, or if you have any concerns regarding your Current Account or Debit Card activity, contact Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333.

For more information, please visit https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/

BE AWARE AND DON’T SHARE!!

Criminals can use fake advertising and websites to lure you into providing your Debit Card information into a tactic known as Smishing.

• Typically, the fraudster will send an SMS with a ‘fake link’ for you to update some form of your personal and/or security details including their debit card details.

These messages often tend to have a sense of urgency, advising you will be locked out or will have negative consequences if you don’t act fast!

• Shortly after, you might receive a call from the fraudster confirming payment or some other request.
• While on this call, fraudster is setting up Apple Pay / Google Pay using the Debit Card details provided on previous link.
• An OTP (One Time Passcode) is sent to your mobile number (to complete the set up) while on phone or short time before phone call.
• The OTP is then shared with the fraudster who can now set up Apple Pay or Google Pay on a different device with YOUR debit card.

Once you have either, provided a One Time Passcode (OTP) to complete the payment, or entered your debit card details to authenticate a purchase, the fraudster / fake website now has stolen your debit card details and can spend your hard-earned money.

If you believe you have been victim unauthorised transactions on your Current Account or Debit Card, report it immediately to contact Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333.

For more information, please visit https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/

Money Muling is a type of Money Laundering where a ‘money mule’ transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else.

Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds derived from online scams and frauds or crimes like human trafficking and drug trafficking. The Money Mule will typically:

• Receive money from a third party in their bank account.
• Instructed to transfer it to another account / person or takes it out in cash.
• Give it to someone else, obtaining a commission for it.

While money Muling might initially appear to be an easy fix for those who are struggling financially or want to make some extra money, young people need to be aware that money Muling is effectively money laundering and therefore a criminal offence.

Money mules are typically recruited though social media in what appears to be a friendly approach by the criminal offering ‘easy’ money in return for something which appears as simple as opening a new current account on behalf of the criminal or using their own current account to lodge or transfer money.

The consequences of becoming involved in Muling are very serious!

• Teens who are recruited as money mules can be threatened with violence or physically attacked if they do not continue to allow their account to be used by the criminals to transfer money.
• As well as having a criminal record, money mules who are caught face having their current account closed and will have difficulty opening another account and accessing loans or other credit facilities in the future.

If you believe you have been involved in a Money Muling request report it immediately to your Credit Union, An Garda Siochana or Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333. To find out more about Money Muling please click our Money Muling Brochure.

For more information, please visit https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/

There is currently significant advertisement surrounding the advantages of investing in and trading digital currencies, like Cryptocurrency. However, this environment has also created an opportune landscape for fraudsters who establish fraudulent companies, promoting deceptive “get rich quick” cryptocurrency investment schemes. These scams often promise substantial returns with minimal investment and effort, posing a serious risk to unsuspecting individuals.

Criminals often go to extreme measures to convince you of their expertise and professionalism, promising substantial returns for minimal investment and effort. However, keep in mind that if a deal appears too good to be true, it likely is!

Look out for:

• You receive an unexpected phone call, email, or social media message promoting an enticing investment opportunity.
• You feel rushed and pressured to make an immediate decision, with no time to properly evaluate the investment.
• The offer guarantees a quick and profitable return on investment, claiming little to no risk involved.

Top Tips to avoid being scammed

1. STOP THINK CHECK: Does this opportunity seem too good to be true? If it does, it likely is.
2. Confirm the Details: Validate all information with a reliable third party, such as a legal or financial professional, and seek advice from family and trusted friends.
3. Don’t Rush: It’s essential to remember that there are very few genuine investment opportunities that necessitate an immediate transfer or payment of funds

If you believe you have been involved in an Investment Scam or any kind report it immediately to your Credit Union, An Garda Siochana or Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333.

For more information, please visit https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/