Phone text scam warning (not BOI's fault)

Qreq

Hi. My mother showed me a text she got on her mobile phone which she was suspicious about. The text didn't show the number it was sent from, instead it just had the letters "BOI". The message said an online bank account had been accessed an excessive number of times, and to click a link to sort it out. The url began with "ow.ly" and contained series of random numbers, letters, and the words "Bank of Ireland". Luckily, my mother's old phone doesn't have the capability to click links. "ow.ly" is a url shortening service which no reputable company would use because it obfuscates where a user will be led.

I checked the phone for similar messages and found one claiming to be from the Revenue and claiming a tax refund of hundreds of euros was available if an ow.ly link was clicked.

I know these texts are scams beyond the control of any company including Bank of Ireland and the tax guys. I just thought I'd let you know it's going around. Perhaps someone who gets a similar text message will find this post useful.

Bank of Ireland: Nicola

Qreq wrote: »

Hi. My mother showed me a text she got on her mobile phone which she was suspicious about. The text didn't show the number it was sent from, instead it just had the letters "BOI". The message said an online bank account had been accessed an excessive number of times, and to click a link to sort it out. The url began with "ow.ly" and contained series of random numbers, letters, and the words "Bank of Ireland". Luckily, my mother's old phone doesn't have the capability to click links. "ow.ly" is a url shortening service which no reputable company would use because it obfuscates where a user will be led.

I checked the phone for similar messages and found one claiming to be from the Revenue and claiming a tax refund of hundreds of euros was available if an ow.ly link was clicked.

I know these texts are scams beyond the control of any company including Bank of Ireland and the tax guys. I just thought I'd let you know it's going around. Perhaps someone who gets a similar text message will find this post useful.

[font=Arial","sans-serif]Hi Qreq,[/font]

[font=Arial","sans-serif]Thanks for your post; if your mother is worried or if she gets any further messages, please let her know that she can get in touch with us and we’ll let her know if the message is genuine or not.[/font]

[font=Arial","sans-serif]We’ve fraud alerts and tips on our website in our security zone here.[/font]

[font=Arial","sans-serif]But for anyone who does receive a message, our advice would be:[/font]

• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Never click on or open suspicious links and attachments.[/font]
• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Never respond to unsolicited text messages or emails.[/font]
• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Never provide your full banking details in a pop-up window.[/font]

[font=Arial","sans-serif]We will never:[/font]

• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Send you a link directly to the login page of our online banking pages.[/font]
• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Send you an email with a direct link to your latest eStatement.[/font]
• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Ask you to share your full 365 PIN or Business On Line password.[/font]
• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Ask you to transfer money out of your account to protect yourself from fraud.[/font]
• [font=Arial","sans-serif]Request your account information through an onscreen pop-up window.[/font]

[font=Arial","sans-serif]Thanks again for taking the time to post about this.[/font]

[font=Arial","sans-serif]Nicola[/font]