Phishing (fake emails or text messages)

Phishing involves fraudsters sending you an email that is very similar to a message from the bank or sending you an email on behalf of a well-known company. The email asks you to click a link or an attachment, which takes you to a fake website that is very similar to that of the bank or company. On the website, you are typically asked to enter your details and security codes. If you click the links or attachment in the email, fraudsters can also install malware on your computer without you even noticing.

Anyone can use the name of a shop or bank as the sender name, so be sure to always check the sender’s email address. You can do so by clicking the sender name. Fraudsters often have long, unclear email addresses.

In cases of smishing, fraudsters send you a text message, rather than an email, that is very similar to an email from the bank, institution or company in question. Have you received a false SMS? Please forward the message to: 097 008 101 095 and delete the SMS.

A fraudster will send you an email that seems to be coming from the bank. The email says that you’ve authorised a company or person, or that a new direct debit will be debited from your account shortly. To reject, you’re told to click on the hyperlink provided in the email. If you click on the hyperlink, you’re led directly to a phishing website.

You’ll usually be asked to provide information, such as your name, telephone number and security codes. After you’ve done that, fraudsters may conduct a transaction with your security codes, or they’ll call you pretending to be an employee of the bank and offering to ‘help’ you. You may even recognise the phone number as the bank’s. Don’t let fraudsters fool you; this is a trick. Fraudsters will usually ask you to transfer money to an account with a different bank.

Please remember that we will never ask you to share your security codes with us. We will never ask you to transfer money to a different bank account either.