AIB Issues Urgent Scam Alert as Text Fraud Surges by 150%

UPDATE: AIB has just announced an urgent warning to its customers as fraudulent text messages surge, putting thousands at risk of being scammed. Recent reports confirm a staggering 150% increase in fraudulent messages in July compared to June, prompting immediate action from the bank.

Customers are now receiving these deceitful texts from unregistered mobile numbers, following recent changes by Comreg. The messages often appear in legitimate threads, creating an illusion of authenticity. AIB warns that the content of these texts frequently references real companies, such as Foley’s Plumbing Limited, which has issued its own warning about these scams.

A spokesperson for AIB stated:

“AIB is warning customers of increasing numbers of fraudulent text messages asking the recipient to call a phone number.”

Victims are being misled into believing their bank accounts are compromised and are urged to transfer their funds to another institution for safekeeping.

In one alarming instance, a message falsely claimed a transaction was linked to Foley’s Plumbing, a legitimate business. The goal of these texts is to coax the recipient into calling the scammer, who will then attempt to extract sensitive bank account information while posing as an AIB representative.

Mary McHale, Head of Financial Crime at AIB, stressed the urgency of the situation:

“We want customers and non-customers to be alert, check the advice on our AIB security centre, and to take a moment to ask yourself, ‘could this be a scam?’”

She emphasized the importance of verifying any requests to move money, advising individuals to pause and double-check before taking any action.

This alarming rise in text message scams is part of a broader trend of increasing financial fraud. AIB is actively enhancing its fraud monitoring systems to combat these emerging threats, and the bank is committed to dealing sympathetically with customers who have fallen victim to these scams on a case-by-case basis.

As the situation develops, AIB urges all customers to stay vigilant. If you receive a suspicious message, do not engage. Instead, contact your bank directly through official channels. This warning serves as a critical reminder to prioritize security in an increasingly digital world.

Stay informed on this situation, as AIB continues to monitor and respond to the rising tide of financial scams.