FraudSMART is warning consumers to be alert to an SMS smishing scam currently circulating where customers are contacted by a text message falsely claiming to be from Bank of Ireland.
This message tells customers that their debit card has been compromised and directs them to a fraudulent website where they are asked to provide personal and security details, including the PIN for their debit card. The victim is then asked to cut their debit card in half before posting the pieces to one of a number of different addresses. Once fraudsters receive the destroyed debit card, they are able to repair the damage and use the stolen details to withdraw customer funds.
FraudSMART Advice
- Do not respond to unsolicited text / SMS messages before independently validating that it is who it says it is from. You can do this by:
- Looking up the phone number on the back of your bank card and contact them directly to validate
- Do not use a phone number given to you in the text (this could be a fake number).
- Do not clink on a link or attachment from unsolicited emails or text messages.
- Never give away personal information, bank account details or security details such as your PIN or online password to anyone.
- Never send your debit card through the post. Your bank will never ask for you to send your bank card to them in this way.
- If you think you have responded to a Smishing text message, contact your bank immediately.
For further information relating to scams, both online and offline, and what you can do to protect yourself, check out FraudSMART.ie.