Scam texts up by 150% last month, says AIB

New surge in fraudulent SMS activity

Phone users have been warned of a surge in fraudulent text messages, with the number of scam texts rising by 150% last month, according to AIB. 

Phone users have been warned of a surge in fraudulent text messages, with the number of scam texts rising by 150% last month, according to AIB. 

Many of the texts purport to come from legitimate businesses and state bodies, with some claiming to be from MyGov and MyAccount. 

The messages come despite recent legal changes implemented by ComReg aimed at curbing the scam text scourge, which mean business-to-person unregistered SMS Sender IDs are modified to ‘Likely Scam’. However, personal mobile numbers are not included in the updated legislation. "The issue would require an SMS filter for private mobile numbers and this requires legislation, as mentioned in the Programme for Government," a ComReg spokersperson told the Irish Examiner.

Thousands of phone users have been targeted by the latest wave of scam texts, with banks including AIB urging customers to be on the lookout. Increasing numbers of fraudulent text messages asking the recipient to call a phone number.

"AIB has detected a significant rise in the number of customers receiving fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the bank this week. The messages have contributed to a 150% increase in July on the number of fraudulent messages sent in June," said an AIB statement.

Following recent changes by ComReg, they are now predominantly coming from unregistered mobile numbers. 

"And these messages often reference other legitimate company names who are in no way connected to the scam. 

"Customers are being tricked into thinking their accounts are compromised and asked to move their money to another financial institution for safekeeping."

AIB head of financial crime Mary McHugh said: "Take a moment to ask yourself, 'could this be a scam?'.  That’s why you should wait a sec and double check, and never move your money to another account after receiving a call or text claiming to be us."

Meanwhile Revenue said phishing emails, texts and phone calls seeking personal information are "increasingly common". 

"Revenue never contacts customers in such a manner, and never seeks personal information such as bank account details via phone call, SMS text message or email. 

"Anyone who receives a suspicious or questionable phone call, text message or email purporting to be from Revenue is advised to end the call or delete the communication immediately."