Tag: #fraud

Bank of Ireland Fraud Alert: Think outside the box and beware of parcel fraud. #Parcels #Fraud #Smishing

 Bank of Ireland has issued an advisory to consumers today to be extra vigilant against parcel fraud in the peak Christmas shopping and online delivery period.  With the seasonal upsurge in parcel delivery, the Bank has noted a high volume of calls from customers reporting fraudulent activity via ‘smishing’ texts where fraudsters send fake messages claiming to be from recognisable delivery companies.

These ‘smishing’ texts will ask a customer to follow to a link to a fraudulent payment site that will, for example, ask customers to pay a small customs charge or confirm details. The branding on these texts and the destination website will be of one of a household name delivery company like UPS, DPD or An Post. We have covered many of these here before if you search you will get an idea what to watch out for. Here is one example 

Edel McDermott, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland said; “The middle of the busiest shopping period of the year is an obvious time for fraudsters to target consumers.  People may be distracted and have less available time to stop, think and check the details on a text and simply reply ‘automatically’ to a company they recognise.  There’s also a good chance that consumers will have bought something online recently so are more likely to think the text is genuine and click one of the fraudulent links currently in circulation.  If they do, they will be brought to a website where they are asked to give their Credit or Debit card details.  The message here is simple: no matter how busy you are, always pause before replying or clicking on a link and take the time to independently check whether a text is legitimate, even if it appears to be from a familiar brand or company. And never disclose confidential banking details”.

Reminders to consumers:

  • Always think before you click: Does this text refer to a legitimate delivery that you are expecting?
  • Do not respond to or click a link in an unsolicited text, even if it appears to be from a company that you recognise.  Always check independently that the text is genuine.
  • Do not use a phone number given to you in the text.
  • Never disclose confidential banking details or security details such as your any digits from your PIN or online password.

Bank of Ireland customers who think they have been the victim of this type of fraud, should contact the Bank as soon as possible: https://www.bankofireland.com/security-zone/report-fraud/

Bank of Ireland is committed to building awareness around fraud. Bank of Ireland will continue to focus on the issues around fraud, through the Bank’s own channels and by working collaboratively through the Bank and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) FraudSMART campaign www.fraudsmart.ie

Fraud Alert: Bank of Ireland urge increased vigilance against investment scams from fake or unregulated investment firms. #Fraud #Investments

Bank of Ireland has issued a fraud alert today urging extra vigilance against investment fraud.  Following an increase in reports of incidence of investment fraud the Bank is strongly advising consumers to be alert to investment scams being carried out by false and unregulated companies offering fake investment opportunities.

Describing how investment scams can operate, Edel McDermott, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland said: “There has been a notable increase in false and unregulated companies offering convincing investment opportunities promising a quick profit.  For example, they might be selling cryptocurrencies or offering bonds and share investments that do not exist.  A consumer or investor who falls victim to these companies and hands over money is unlikely to see their money again.  There is unfortunately no redress for a consumer or investor who hands over money to an unregulated firm.  By being aware of how these false companies turn up and the tactics that they use, consumers and investors can take steps to protect themselves against fraud and financial loss”. 

Common ways to encounter these bogus companies and warning signs include:

Internet search:  Bogus firms online may appear when searching for investment opportunities or via pop-up message on a website or through social media.

False endorsement: Online article where a celebrity appears to promote an investment or tells a story about how much they made from it.

Cold calls: Unsolicited calls or emails from someone who claims to be from a legitimate investment company who puts pressure on the consumer to take advantage of an urgent opportunity.

How consumers can protect themselves from these scams: 

  • Do not respond to cold calls and don’t be rushed into investing your money.
  • Be suspicious of any offers that guarantee a return or a large profit.
  • Research the company and check the Central Bank register before making any investment.

Many of these firms might appear to have legitimate websites and convincing products or investor ‘log in’ to check your investment.  To safeguard against this, consumers and investors are urged to ensure that any company they are considering investing with is a regulated firm by checking the Central Bank of Ireland register (ROI) or Financial Conduct Authority (UK).  If a firm is not listed, do not invest with them. 

Bank of Ireland is committed to building awareness around fraud, including investment fraud of this nature. Bank of Ireland will continue to focus on the issues around fraud, through the Bank’s own channels and by working collaboratively through the Bank and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) FraudSMART campaign.

Useful Links in the fight against fraud:

https://www.bankofireland.com/security-zone/

http://registers.centralbank.ie/Home.aspx

https://register.fca.org.uk/s/

www.fraudsmart.ie

Bank of Ireland customers who think they have been the victim of this type of fraud, should contact the Bank as soon as possible.

https://www.bankofireland.com/security-zone/report-fraud/

Buyer Beware! Consumers worried about fraudsters survey reveals. #Fraud #Scams #Shopping #online

More than six in ten (62%) consumers are worried about being targeted by online fraudsters and over four in ten (43%) feel more exposed to online fraud threats due to being online more since COVID-19, according to research by Bank of Ireland. The survey also found that almost six in ten (58%) intend to shop more online this Christmas compared to last year and nine in ten consumers are now banking or shopping online. In recent weeks we have seen several scams which we posted here and now you need to be more vigilant than ever and always remember if it looks to good to be true it probably is as the saying goes

The study of 1,000 consumers was carried out as Bank of Ireland launches the most extensive public awareness campaign on fraud by any bank in Ireland. Fronted by TV personality Baz Ashmawy and running across TV, radio and social media through November and December, the campaign aims to remind consumers to be alert for potential fraud and provides guidance in the lead up to Christmas. Fraud awareness and prevention is a critical part of Bank of Ireland’s Financial Wellbeing Programme for customers.


Pictured above  – Gavin Kelly, CEO, Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Baz Ashmawy.

The research also shows that over half (53%) admit to spending more time shopping online since the onset of COVID-19, rising to two thirds (66%) of 18 – 34 year olds. Four in five (80%) consumers are opting to use debit and credit cards in place of cash during the pandemic. More than half (55%) of consumers indicated they have received a fraudulent email, text message or call claiming to be from their bank in the past, while seven in ten (69%) say they regularly consider the threat of fraud when online.

Commenting on fraud, Gavin Kelly, CEO Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland said: “Due to COVID-19 we’re all spending a lot more time online – for work, keeping in touch with people, and shopping – which means we are more susceptible to fraud. As we head towards the Christmas period, at Bank of Ireland we are ramping up our efforts to remind people to remain vigilant, particularly when online.

“With Level 5 restrictions now in force and many retail outlets shuttered across the country, online activity will spike even further in the coming weeks. Our research shows that over half of us have received a fraudulent email, text message or call claiming to be from our bank, and this trend is very likely to continue as our use of cards, online shopping and digital banking continues to increase. Our new nationwide fraud awareness campaign will help protect customers’ financial wellbeing and emphasises that by working together we won’t let the criminals win.

 “Fraudsters target customers of banks, utility companies, postal, taxation and social welfare services and other organisations. They are active day in, day out, 24/7. We see the stress it causes for consumers and businesses on an ongoing basis. As a bank we have a responsibility to be extremely vigilant to these attacks and to advise our customers how to deal with the various threats. We will never text, send emails or call a customer looking for their confidential banking details. You can forward any suspicious emails or texts to us at 365Security@boi.com and if anyone is concerned that their account or personal information has been compromised, they should call our 24/7 freephone line 1800 946 764.”

 

The research also revealed:

  • 66% believe they know the kind of tactics used by fraudsters in attempting to steal their money.
  • 95% said they would have little or no trust in receiving a text message or e-mail from their bank with a link requesting them to login to internet banking.
  • One in four (25%) feel comfortable sharing their personal information, rising to one in three (33%) of 18-34 year olds.

For more advice and information on fraud, visit www.bankofireland.com/security or www.fraudsmart.ie

The research was commissioned with RED C and the survey was conducted from 8th to 13th October 2020 with a national representative sample of 1000 respondents.

Amazon Prime subscription scam call renewal to watch out for. #AmazonPrime #Fraud #Scam

This morning we had two calls from the same guy who claimed to be FRANK MURPHY from Amazon PRIME services and saying our Amazon Subscription should be renewed at a cost of €79.99 These calls are automated though,however on the second call we got an operator called Frank Murphy who claims to be from Amazon but obviously not who then asked for some information which you can guess by now is credit card details. This scam has been going on a while in the UK. Earlier in the year this was happening here in Ireland but now seems to be back in action.

After being asked to press 1he said calls are recorded for training and quality purposes which is utter bullshit and once telling him the same back he then hung up, Above is the two numbers you need to watch out for and just block them on your house phone or mobile phone. Other incidents on similar scams would be to download software onto your PC and this gets them access to everything, Amazon never ask for such information or call you either to renew subscription so be aware it has already cost people millions. These calls came in on our senior posters house phone but we will try record them in full should they come back or call my mobile as I have call recording software on it,that will be interesting.

If it happens to you head here

Update. Called back again. Have a listen https://youtu.be/k0r08sScbt0