Bank warns customers not to be duped into returning cards by taxi

Innocent taxi drivers being sent to reclaim cards - but it is just another scam says AIB

AIB has warned about a scam recently in operation in which customers are asked to return their cards to a taxi driver sent to collect them. Photograph: iStock
AIB has warned about a scam recently in operation in which customers are asked to return their cards to a taxi driver sent to collect them. Photograph: iStock

AIB has expanded its anti-fraud advice to offer customers details of a particular scam, which it says involved customers being asked to hand their bank cards over to a taxi, which the con operators send to the victims home or office.

In recent weeks AIB took to twitter to reiterate its regular warning to customers that fraud messages were circulating via text on mobile phones. The bank said: “We will never send you a text message asking you to click a link and review your account.”

But the bank subsequently outlined further details cases showing the lengths some people will go to get their hands on other people’s bank details.

In a letter to customers this week the bank said: “We’ve heard about cases where a fraudster, pretending to be from AIB, calls or texts you to tell you your card details are already in the wrong hands of criminals and we (AIB) have arranged for a taxi to collect your card from you.”

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According to AIB , a genuine taxi would arrive at the victim’s home or place of work. The victim gives the card to the taxi driver who can identify themselves with genuine diver identification. The card is collected, and innocently, the taxi driver delivers it into the hands of a real criminal.

“They now have access to the money in your account” AIB said after outlining the scam.

The bank went on to say while it may call customers “if we see suspicious activity” on their card, but “we will never ask you for your card back”.

The bank reiterated that it would “never send a taxi to collect the card” and “will never ask you to click on a link”.

The bank said there were some things customers could do if they were concerned they might be subjected to fraud.

“If you get a call about suspicious activity on your card and the call sounds strange in any way, just hang up. You can also freeze your card or cancel it online”.

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien is an Irish Times journalist