AIB has warned customers to remain vigilant after payment fraud cases at the bank increased by 59% in July, with criminals using increasingly convincing methods to persuade people to hand over money and confidential banking information.
The bank said scammers are targeting customers through text messages and phone calls while pretending to represent trusted organisations, including banks. In some cases, criminals have also persuaded people to withdraw cash before arranging a collection.
A common tactic involves sending a text message that appears to come from a bank or another familiar organisation. The victim may then receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a member of staff. The caller attempts to create a sense of urgency, encouraging the customer to provide security codes or transfer money to another account.
AIB said fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated in the way they build trust and pressure victims into acting quickly.
The bank is urging customers to follow its “wait a sec, double check” advice before responding to unexpected messages or requests involving money or personal banking information.
Harold Perez, AIB’s head of Fraud Intelligence, said the bank had seen a significant increase in customers being targeted through sophisticated text and phone scams.
“Fraudsters continue to adapt their tactics and are becoming increasingly convincing in the way they target customers,” he said.
Perez said customers should take time to consider unexpected requests rather than responding immediately.
“A genuine organisation will never pressure you into making immediate decisions about your finances,” he said.
AIB stressed that it would never ask customers to disclose security codes, passwords or login information. The bank also said it would not instruct customers to move money to a so-called “safe account” or ask them to withdraw cash on its behalf.
Customers should also never hand over their bank card, PIN or cash to someone claiming to represent the bank.
Perez warned that criminals are particularly effective at creating a false sense of urgency and trust.
“Our advice is simple: take a second to think before acting,” he said. “Never move money to a so-called safe account, never share security codes, and never hand over your card, PIN or cash to anyone claiming to be us.”
The bank advised anyone who becomes suspicious during a call or message to end the conversation and contact AIB directly through a trusted telephone number.
With payment scams becoming more frequent, AIB said taking a brief pause before responding to an unexpected request could prevent customers from suffering substantial financial losses.
