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Email Scams

Learn how to spot fraudulent emails, recognise common email scams, and understand what to do if you receive one.

Fraudsters send fake emails that appear to come from reputable companies or your bank. These ‘phishing’ emails aim to steal sensitive information such as your bank details, usernames or passwords. They often urge you to click on a link and enter your personal and financial details into a fake website that closely resembles a genuine website.

Phishing emails use a variety of tactics to pressure you into acting quickly, such as creating a sense of urgency or warning you that your account has been compromised. They may claim you must “verify”, “update” or “reactivate” your account immediately to avoid financial loss. This urgency is designed to prevent you from taking time to verify if the email is legitimate.

Key Advice

Be Informed:

  • Never respond to any unsolicited emails or click on links until you have verified the source.
  • Do not use the contact details in the email. Look up this information yourself.
  • Never share personal information or security details such as PIN or full online banking password to anyone.
  • Don’t allow yourself to be rushed. Take your time and do the relevant checks.

Be Alert:

  • Be wary of payment requests that are unexpected or irregular, regardless of the amount involved. If in any doubt, do not make the payment, however urgent it seems.
  • Fraudsters can spoof email addresses to make them appear legitimate – watch for subtle changes such as ‘.com’ instead of ‘.ie’
  • Be wary of emails that don’t address you by name and use generic greetings like ‘Dear Customer’ or ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.

Be Secure:

  • Do not open, click on or forward suspicious emails. Take heed of any security warnings that appear in your browser about potential threats.
  • Limit or restrict personal information you share across all social media platforms as fraudsters can use it to tailor/personalise their scams.
  • Remember banks and card issuers will never ask for PIN, full security credentials, or account information via email.

Types of Fraud