BANK OF IRELAND has warned customers to be wary of fraudulent text messages being issued.

A spokesperson said the bank “is aware that fraudulent text messages are currently in circulation”.

“These are not genuine and have not been sent by Bank of Ireland.

“Bank of Ireland will never text a customer asking them to update or provide their online banking information.

“Anyone receiving a text looking for these details should delete it from their mobile device immediately,” the spokesperson told TheJournal.ie.

This evening, the bank sent customers a text which read: “BOI security alert. We’re aware of fraudulent text messages issuing. BOI will never text you asking you to update or provide your online banking information.” 

FraudSMART, a fraud awareness initiative set up by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, said that “while it’s normal for banks to text, they will only ever ask you to reply Y or N”. 

“They will never ask you to click on links or disclose personal information.” 

This warning comes following a warning issued by the bank in July after people reported receiving a text message telling them that their account had been “frozen”. 

On Twitter, several people said they received a message – claiming to be from Bank of Ireland – informing them that their account had been “frozen because we are unable to validate your information”.

People – including people who weren’t Bank of Ireland customers -  were invited to click on a website link to “avoid suspension”. 

A similar scam was circulating in 2017, when people were sent a text message telling them that their account had been “locked for security reasons”.

More information can be found on the Bank of Ireland website. 

With reporting by Órla Ryan