Dublin: The Bank of Ireland has issued a public warning regarding a new wave of fraudulent activity linked to recent announcements about energy credits in the national budget. The bank has cautioned customers not to be misled by messages purporting to offer “energy credits,” as they may be part of a sophisticated scam orchestrated by online criminals.
According to the bank, customers have reported receiving SMS messages claiming to be from the government, informing them of their eligibility for new energy credits. However, the Bank of Ireland emphasises that this is the first step in a scam aimed at extracting personal banking information.
Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud at the Bank of Ireland, noted that criminals often design scams to coincide with current events. “Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics to reflect what’s in the news. Everyone should exercise extreme caution,” she warned. “Fraudsters are not just after your banking information—they need personal details like phone numbers as well. Never provide such information to unknown individuals.”
Key Warnings from the Bank of Ireland:
– Do not click on any links or respond to suspicious SMS messages, even if they appear to be from the Bank of Ireland.
– Do not share personal information, such as debit/credit card details or PIN numbers, with anyone claiming to be from the bank.
– If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Never call back using the number provided in the message.
– The bank also warns against interacting with anyone who claims to be a courier asking for your banking information.
How the Scam Works:
Fraudsters send fake messages from what appears to be a government agency, notifying customers that they are entitled to an energy credit. Once the customer believes this, the scam escalates. The criminals then collect personal contact details and proceed to impersonate bank representatives. Under this guise, they request sensitive information such as debit or credit card details, PINs, and phone SIM information.
In some cases, fraudsters may even impersonate courier services to retrieve the necessary details. Armed with this information, they can use the card’s chip and PIN to access the customer’s account and withdraw funds.
The Bank of Ireland urges customers to be vigilant, as these scams can be difficult to detect once personal details are shared, leaving individuals vulnerable to significant financial loss. The best defence, the bank advises, is to stay alert and never share sensitive information.
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