Gardai have issued an urgent warning to the public about a scam purporting to be from AIB Bank.
The so-called smashing con is based around a text message from people claiming to be from Allied Irish Bank (AIB), leading them to believe their bank card has been compromised.
The intended victim is contacted by text message asking them to log onto a website in order to receive a new card. As part of the process they are requested to insert their pin number and other personal data. Once this is completed they are requested to send the compromised card to one of three addresses in Dublin, none of which are linked to AIB.
Garda National Economic Crime Bureau are advising the public as follows:
– Never click a link in an unsolicited text;
– Never give away personal data like your PIN, card numbers and passwords;
– A financial institution would never request a customer to return a card to the bank in such circumstances
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) are working very closely with AIB and other financial institutions, to identify those behind this fraud and those who receive, or use the stolen data / cards.
REPORT IT
An Garda Síochána are also urging all persons not to respond to such text messages, but instead to take a screenshot of the message, delete it and report it to your local Garda station.
Superintendent Michael Cryan has spoken of the importance of never giving out personal or sensitive details to unverified sources.
“I would encourage members of the public never to give out personal or sensitive information online unless you are sure of the source. Financial institutions will never contact you in this way and a bank will never request you to return your card in this manner. I would encourage anyone who receives these text messages to take a screenshot of the text, delete the text and to report it to their bank and local Garda station.”
