The Bank of Ireland is warning customers to be 'extra vigilant' after seeing an increase in text scams claiming to be from motorway toll operator eFlow.
The fraudulent text messages are urging customers to pay outstanding toll charges or update account details. The website links in these messages are not genuine and are an attempt to collect personal card and online banking details.
eFlow has advised anyone who receives a text message regarding unpaid tolls to ignore the message and not to open any links. eFlow does not ask customers to open any links to confirm payment details.
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Discussing the latest wave, Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “Smishing attacks tend to come in waves, and the latest theme is motorway fraud, where fraudsters are sending fake text purportedly from operators such as eFlow.
"When you click on the text it leads to a fake website where some will end up providing their confidential card and bank account details.
"As more people will be hitting the roads this Easter weekend, they might be more inclined to click on such a text message thinking it is legitimate.
“In the past we have seen similar waves of fraudulent messages appearing to be from delivery services, Government agencies or banks and now it seems that motorway smishing is trending. Text messages should be treated with extreme caution – the general rule is never trust, always verify.”
The bank urged customers not to click on links or respond to SMS text messages which appear as if sent by a motorway toll operator looking for payment for an unpaid toll.
They have also reminded customers that companies such as these, or banks, delivery companies, utility providers and Government agencies will never send a text linking to a website that requests online banking details and asked them to verify the identity of the sender by calling the company using their legitimate phone number (ensure you source it independently of any SMS).
If you get a suspicious text, please email a screenshot of the text to 365Security@boi.com and then delete the text.
Bank of Ireland customers who think they gave away their banking details should call their 24/7 Freephone line 1800 946 764 immediately.
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