Examples of fake messages and ads

Fraudsters are sending fake emails and texts pretending to be from Bank of Ireland and other companies to customers. The messages might be mixed in with real Bank of Ireland texts or come from an unknown number. The texts often have links or a fraudulent phone number in them.

Remember, Bank of Ireland will never:

  • Send you a text or email with a link directly to the login page of our online banking channels asking you to confirm or update your banking details
  • Ask you to click a link in a message with an urgent warning about suspicious activity on your account
  • Ask you to transfer money out of your account to protect you from fraud
  • Ask you to send us back your bank card.

Don’t ever share:

  • Your six-digit passcode or full 365 PIN or Business On Line credentials
  • Any one-time activation codes or codes from your Business On Line Approve app
  • Your four-digit card PIN.

 

Fraudsters use social media ads and professional-looking websites. They try to lure you in with promises of quick, easy money. You might find these bogus firms online. Often when you look for cryptocurrency, bonds or other investment opportunities.

Stop, Think, Check

  • Be suspicious of any offers that promise big profits or guaranteed returns
  • Always do your research, before you invest
  • Make sure the firm is regulated
  • Look it up on the Central Bank of Ireland register (ROI) or the Financial Conduct Authority (UK) register
  • If the firm isn’t listed, don’t invest
  • Check for published warning notices
  • Always get independent advice.

 

Example of Smishing 1

Smishing example text message reading 'BOI: Your account has been limited. Please follow the steps to reactivate: https://updatedonlinesecurity-banking.com/'

Example of Smishing 2

Smishing example text message reading 'A new device has successfully logged in at 19:25 if his was not authorised by you follow this link: www.authorisedevice365.com'

Example of Smishing 3

Smishing example text message reading 'BOI: A payment was attempted from your BOI account, if this was NOT you please visit: boi-online365-secuirty.co to cancel any unauthorised payments'

Example of Smishing 4

Smishing example text message reading 'Requests have been made on your BOI at 19:57 Was this you? Please visit: https://mobile-boi-online-reviews.com/

Example of Smishing 5

Smishing example text message reading 'BOI: We have temporarily restricted access on your BOI account due to suspicious activity, to re-authenticate visit: online365-verify.com'

Example of Smishing 6

Smishing example text message from EireVerify reading 'Hi there - Your parcel has been held at our shipping centre. Please follow instructions here: r1w.link/CeYy7'

Example of Smishing 7

Smishing example text message reading 'BOI We have placed a block on your card due to a payment of 150 EUR attempted to AMAZON on 28/12/24. If this was not you please follow the steps here: Boi365mobile.online'

Example of Smishing 8

Smishing example text message reading 'A payee has been added from an unrecognised device on 21/12. If this was NOT you please visit https://confirm-information.com route:3'

Example of Smishing 9

Smishing example text message reading 'BOI: Payment for 344,29 euro at ARGOS 10:28AM has been placed on hold, If this was not you please contact customer service at: 1800817133'

Example of Smishing 10

Smishing example text message reading 'A direct debit of €150.90 is scheduled for 24/01/2025 to Foley's Plumbing Ltd. Ref: IE-BO498. If unrecognised, call (01) 233 7310 immediately.'

 

Example of Phishing 1:


Phishing example email containing the following instruction: 'Please click on the link to reactivate: https//www.365online.com/authentication' and a box above it with a link to the following website 'https://learn2work.eu/sv/'. When you hover over the link with your mouse, you can see that clicking it would send you to a different, fraudulent, website.


Example of Phishing 2:


Phishing example email containing the BOI logo and a button promoting you to 'Check that we have your correct mobile'. The email is from the sender 'test


Examples of fake investment ads:


A sponsored social media investment ad example: 'Compare top-rated European bonds. Special interest rates for expats. Grow your savings!' and a 'Learn more' link.


A sponsored social media investment ad example: 'Fixed-term deposits. Explore lenders best rates up to 8.9%' and a 'Learn more;' link

 

TextChecker

If you get a text that claims to be from Bank of Ireland and you’re still unsure if it’s genuine, please use our ‘TextChecker’ service.

TextChecker guide - Did you ever get text from Bank of Ireland that you're unsure of?. Stop. Think. Check. Step 1: Copy the text you wish to verify. Step 2: Paste into a new message. Step 3: Add the word CHECK before the text (In the same text). Step 4: Send to 50365. The bank will confirm if they sent it within 60 seconds. Together, we won't let the fraudsters win.
TextChecker guide - Did you ever get text from Bank of Ireland that you're unsure of?. Stop. Think. Check. Step 1: Copy the text you wish to verify. Step 2: Paste into a new message. Step 3: Add the word CHECK before the text (In the same text). Step 4: Send to 50365. The bank will confirm if they sent it within 60 seconds. Together, we won't let the fraudsters win.

 

Sample TextChecker submission:

TextChecker submission example text message reading 'CHECK BOI: Your card has been placed on hold due to irregular activities. Please go to securityboi.com and follow the instructions on the screen.'

Sample TextChecker response:

TextChecker response example text message reading 'Thanks for contacting us. This DOES NOT appear to be a genuine BoI text. DO NOT TAP ANY LINK IN IT. If you see unusual transactions on your account call the number on the back of your card now. We will NEVER text you a link asking for your full PIN or one-time passcodes.'

Stop, Think, Check. And together, we won’t let the fraudsters win.