Bank of Ireland has issued a warning about a new and highly effective scam that is targeting Irish customers, with reports of the scam rising daily. This fraudulent scheme, already prevalent in Europe, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand, involves scammers posing as bank representatives who manipulate victims into granting remote access to their bank accounts.
The scammers initiate contact by phone, impersonating the victim’s bank, and convincing them to log in to their online banking. They then direct the victim to visit another website, purportedly for a “live chat service” or to “verify the customer’s PC.” However, this site is used by fraudsters to gain remote access to the victim’s computer.
Once access is granted, the scammers can view the victim’s screen, access their files and programs within online banking, and proceed to steal money by setting up unauthorized payments. To complete the theft, they coerce the victim into reading out one-time codes sent to their phone.
Bank of Ireland has observed a surge in reports of this type of scam, coinciding with the launch of a national fraud awareness campaign. A recent survey revealed that 96% of consumers believe they will be targeted by fraud in the next six months, with 82% reporting at least one monthly targeting.
Bank of Ireland’s Head of Fraud, Nicola Sadlier, emphasized the importance of vigilance when logging into online banking and advised customers to be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails. The bank also urged customers never to grant remote access to their PCs or share one-time codes with anyone, even if they claim to be from the bank. It is recommended to manually enter the website address or use the main Bank of Ireland website for online banking access at bankofireland.com.