ALERT: Kilkenny AIB customers warned of new bank card scam

Gardai have warned Kilkenny-based AIB customers to beware of a new ‘smishing’ scam in which people are being contacted by text message from fraudsters falsely claiming to be bank officials.

In the text, customers are led to believe their bank card has been compromised. They are then asked to log onto a website to receive a new card.

They are also requested to insert their pin number and other personal data. Once this is completed they are then asked to send the compromised card to one of three addresses, none of which are actually linked to AIB.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) are working closely with AIB and other financial institutions to identify the criminals behind the fraud.

The GNECB have advised bank customers:

• Never click a link in an unsolicited text;
• Never give away personal data such as your PIN, card numbers and passwords;
• A financial institution would never request a customer to return a card to the bank in such circumstances.

Superintendent Michael Cryan said: “I would encourage members of the public never to give out personal or sensitive information online unless you are sure of the source.

“Financial institutions will never contact you in this way and a bank will never request you to return your card in this manner. I would encourage anyone who receives these text messages to take a screenshot of the text, delete the text and to report it to their bank and local Garda station.”