With scam text messages doing the rounds more than ever, here’s what your bank will actually text you about and how to know the message is legitimate.
The first thing to know is that your bank will never text you asking for personal information or account information.
Banks monitor your account activity in order to spot irregular transactions. Transactions may be flagged if they occur in geographical locations outside your home country. This is why it’s a good idea to notify your bank before travelling abroad.
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A transaction may also be flagged if it resembles those already known to be related to already known fraudulent activity.
If you receive a txt message from your bank notifying you of possible bank fraud, make sure that it is really a message from your bank by checking the following details.
AIB will text you from these numbers. Keep in mind that these are text only numbers and you will not be able to call them.
AIB may send a real-time text alert to your mobile phone asking you to text back a Y or N to confirm your use of the card.
· For Debit Cards the text will come from +353873700700;
· For Consumer Credit Cards the text will come from +353861801719
· For Commercial Credit Cards the text will come from +353861801721.
If you’re a Permanent TSB customer, you may receive text messages to confirm transactions. This may occur when your account receives a lodgement of €1,500 or more, there is a withdrawal of €1,000 or more, or if your account balance is low.
The sender in the case of a text alert from Permanent TSB will be PTSB.
Bank of Ireland will also never text customers asking for their PIN or account details. Remember, the bank already has this information so there is no need for them to ask.
Bank of Ireland also advises customers never to click on a link in a text message that appears to be from the bank.
If you get a text containing a link that claims to be from Bank of Ireland but you are not sure if it’s genuine, here’s how to verify it.
- Copy the text you wish to verify.
- Paste into a new message.
- Add the word CHECK before the text. (In the same text)
- Send to 50365.
It’s important to remember that fraudsters may be able to insert a message into a thread of genuine messages from Bank of Ireland. You can also report a suspicious email or text by sending it to 365security@boi.com and the deleting it. The emergency contact number to call if you think you have been defrauded or have clicked on a suspicious link is 1800 946 764.
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