‘Be extra vigilant’ – Kilkenny bank customers warned about new Budget scam

Bank of Ireland is warning customers to be vigilant to a wave of new fraud attempts following the announcement of a range of new energy credits this week.

The bank warned fraudsters are already using the new energy credits announced in this week’s Budget to scam people.

It reported cases where customers receive an SMS pretending to be from the Government saying they are eligible for a discounted bill under the new energy credit. But this is just the first step in a scam designed to get the consumer to hand over their personal banking details.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland, said fraudsters design their scams to blend in with what’s in the news.

“Be extra vigilant. Fraudsters want your personal information, even if it’s simply your phone number. Do not give it to them,” she said.

Bank of Ireland’s advice to customers in response to the current activity is to not click on links or respond to any SMS text messages which are designed to appear as if sent by the bank or other businesses and service providers. If a person receives a suspicious call, hang up and do not call back any number the caller may have given you.

Explaining how the fraud works, Bank of Ireland said the consumer receives a text, pretending to be from an official Government source, telling them they are eligible for an energy credit. The consumer replies to this and provides their personal contact details.

The fraudster then calls the consumer and pretends to be from their bank and informs the consumer they responded to a fake text and that now their debit/credit card, PIN, and phone sim card are compromised.

The fraudster says someone from the bank, or a courier is on their way to collect the consumers card, PIN, and phone sim card.

In some cases, the consumer is kept on the phone to the fraudster until the person from the “bank” or courier company arrives at their house.

Bank of Ireland said once they have taken these, fraudsters can then use the card for high value items, using chip & PIN.

“Unfortunately, because the consumer believes they have been speaking with their bank, it can take some time before they realise that they are the victim of a theft and report this to their actual bank,” the bank adds.