Bank of Ireland Raises Alarm Following Sharp Surge in ‘Hi Mum, I Misplaced My Phone’ Text Scams

The Bank of Ireland has reported a 25% increase in family impersonation messages this month. These text messages, claiming to be from a family member with a lost or damaged phone, have been circulating and urging consumers to provide access to money. Bank of Ireland warns against trusting these messages and advises customers to stop, think, and verify before taking any action. The scammers behind these messages attempt to collect personal card and online banking details through fake website links provided in the texts. In some cases, the fraudsters even request in-person payments at bank branches. The bank emphasizes the importance of verifying the identity of the sender by contacting them directly on a known, trusted phone number. Bank of Ireland urges customers to be cautious and to report any suspicious texts or potential data breaches.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland, highlights the recurring nature of smishing attacks and the fraudsters’ ability to adapt their methods to deceive individuals. The fraudsters often pose as banks, utility companies, toll operators, or government agencies. This wave of text message scams targeting families during the holiday season capitalizes on parents’ instinct to help their children in need. The urgent and panic-inducing tone of these messages prompts customers to act without thoroughly considering their response. Bank of Ireland advises customers to pause, verify, and think critically before reacting to any SMS requests. If customers receive unusual requests from family members, they are advised not to respond or click any accompanying links. Instead, they should contact their family member using a known phone number saved in their contacts. Bank of Ireland encourages customers to report suspicious text messages and potential data breaches immediately.

Bank of Ireland offers the following advice to customers in response to the current smishing scam:

• Do not respond to text messages with unusual requests from family members. Avoid clicking on any accompanying links.
• Verify the identity of the sender by calling them on a known phone number saved in your contacts.
• If you receive a suspicious text, email a screenshot of the text to [email protected]. Delete the text immediately. If you believe you have disclosed your banking details, call the Bank of Ireland’s 24/7 Freephone line 1800 946 764 without delay.