We advise our members to be extra vigilant about giving out card details over the phone.

They should not do this. If they’re in any doubt over who is contacting them, they should hang up the phone and ring HSSCU, or alternatively, Card Services on 01 693 3333.

The general information below may be useful guidance for you in avoiding scams and unauthorised activity.

• If somebody contacts you out of the blue offering you money or an easy way to make money, it is probably too good to be true.
• Don’t assume an email, call or text is genuine because someone has basic information like your name or address. Fraudsters may use publicly available information to lure you in.
• Fraudsters are very good at making e-mails look genuine and have been known to set up elaborate and convincing dummy websites.
• You should not provide personal information about yourself or agree to send money until you are satisfied that the firm you are dealing with is authorised. You can check the Central Bank Registers to check if a firm is authorised
• Be careful of contact that appears to be from your bank or credit union requesting verification account numbers and passwords. Banks and credit unions will NEVER request your full personal access code or password.
• If you have previously been a victim of a scam, then it is more likely that you will be targeted again.
• If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Take your time to think things through and don’t feel pressured into making a decision that you might later regret.

It is important to note that scams can take many formats and you should remain vigilant in order to protect yourself.

Opportunistic Fraudsters

In the coming months as both Ulster Bank and KBC Bank ask customers to move their accounts, it’s expected criminals and fraudsters will try to take advantage by contacting people through scam emails, scam SMS messages, scam social media messages, or scam calls.

The fraudsters will try to gather personal information, current account details, or card details that could be used to compromise your Credit Union Current Account or Debit Card.

Be on the lookout for messages that warn of the impending cancellation of your salary, standing orders, or direct debits to utilities which then ask you for personal information or account details.

• If you receive a message like this, contact your employer directly using your office email or phone number.
• If you receive a call asking for Financial Service provider (or card) details hang up the phone and call your Credit Union or CU Card Services on 01 6933333 immediately.

Another variation of the scam might warn you a service or utility is about to be cut off. Contact the service provider directly by using the phone number given on their website NOT the one in included in the message. Alternatively, the fraudster might pretend to be from your Financial Institution and say your account is being closed and you must immediately move your money Remember these can come by email as well as text or voice calls:

• Do not respond or click on an email links without verifying it first.
• Do not click on any link or follow directions from somebody on a call without verifying first.
• Hang up the phone and contact your Credit Union or Credit Union Card Services.

Example: Number Spoofing Phone Calls

Number Spoofing, where the fraudster makes contact with you by phone, hiding the number they are really calling from and making it look like they are calling from the phone number of a genuine company/organisation. The fraudster then tries to trick the person into divulging personal, financial or security information or into making a financial transfer to them.

If anyone receives a phone call in this regard, they should report the call immediately to An Garda Siochana.