Fraudsters may send texts pretending to be from Bank of Ireland, motorway toll services, utility companies and other trusted providers. The texts urge customers to pay charges or update account details. They have links to fake websites that ask for your card or online banking details.
Some texts also contain fake phone numbers that connect you to ‘agents’ who ask for your personal information. These fake texts can be dropped into a thread of genuine Bank of Ireland text messages. Remember, Bank of Ireland will never send you a text with a link to a site that asks you for your full 365 online PIN or one-time activation codes. Don’t share them.
What to look out for
- Texts claiming to be from your bank or other trusted companies, asking you to confirm financial or personal details.
- Texts that say urgent action is needed or you will face charges, penalties, or other negative consequences.
- Texts that ask you to click on a link to a website. These links often lead to fake sites where you are asked to provide personal details.
- Texts that include a number for you to call to “verify” or “update” your personal information.
What you can do
- Do not click on or open suspicious links and attachments.
- If you click on a suspicious link or if you’re unsure, call us on our Freephone numbers as soon as possible.
- Don’t respond to a text, unless you are sure the text is genuine.
- If you are unsure if a text is really from Bank of Ireland, use our TextChecker service to check if it’s a scam.
- If you’re unsure if a phone number included in a text is real, call on a number you know such as the number on the back of your bank card.
Do not share:
- Your full 6-digit 365 online PIN
- Your full card details (for example, your 16-digit number plus your CVC and expiry date)
- Any one-time activation codes.
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 transfer money out of your account to protect yourself from fraud.
Report fraud
Please get in touch with us if you:
- shared your online login, card or banking details in response to a suspicious call, text or email;
- believe your card has been lost or stolen (top tip – if you think you might have just misplaced your card, you can temporarily freeze/unfreeze it via the app or 365 online);
- notice suspicious activity or unauthorised transactions on your account;
- need to report online or ATM fraud.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Available 24 hours 7 days a week
Republic of Ireland
Freephone: 1800 946 764 (personal and business)
Great Britain & Northern Ireland
Freephone: 0800 121 7790 (personal and business)
Everywhere outside Republic of Ireland, Great Britain & Northern Ireland
Not Freephone + 353 1 679 8993
Not Freephone + 353 56 775 7007 (Lost/Stolen cards or smart device)
Report a suspicious email or text
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 or click here now
Example of Smishing 1
Example of Smishing 2
Example of Smishing 3
Example of Smishing 4
Example of Smishing 5
