Text Scams
Know how to recognise a scam text and what to do if you receive one.
Smishing is when fraudsters send text messages pretending to be from a trusted organisation such as a bank, Revenue or a service provider e.g. a mobile phone company. These messages typically ask you to click on a link to a website or to call a phone number to “verify”, “update” or to “reactivate” your account.
However, the website is fraudulent, designed to steal your information, and the phone number connects you to a scammer impersonating the company. Their goal is to trick you into revealing personal, financial, or security details, which they can use to steal your money. These messages often create a send of urgency or fear, warning of negative consequences if you don’t take immediate action e.g. you lose your Wi-Fi connection because of an unpaid bill.
Key Advice
Be Informed:
- Your bank will never ask for personal or financial information via text – only respond Y or N to legitimate bank messages (or some banks may use numbers 1-9).
- Never respond to a text message that requests your 4-digit card PIN, online banking details or any other password.
- If you receive an unsolicited text, independently verify its legitimacy by:
- Looking up the organisation’s official phone number on their website and contacting them directly.
- Never use the phone number provided in the text—it could be fake.
Be Alert:
- Don’t be rushed – take your time and verify the message before responding.
Be Secure:
- Do not click on links, attachments, or images in an unsolicited text message without first verifying its authenticity.
- If you think you’ve responded to a smishing text, contact your bank immediately.