As motorway traffic increases for the Easter weekend, drivers are being warned about an "escalating wave" of text scams purporting to come from motorway operators. I had one myself this week, claiming I faced a penalty charge of over €90.
The text said the charge would be a penalty for not paying a motorway toll. It claimed to be from eFlow and warned me the charge would be imposed if I didn't click the link.
Another version of the same scam suggests you need to update your account details, using the link.
Today’s warning comes from Bank of Ireland, which says there has been an escalating wave and a "large spike in motorway-themed smishing". The bank says the website links in these messages are not genuine and are an effort to collect personal card and online banking details.
Nicola Sadlier, Bank of Ireland’s Head of Fraud said these "smishing" attacks tend to come in waves, and the latest theme is motorway fraud, where fraudsters are sending fake text purportedly from operators such as eFlow.
"When you click on the text it leads to a fake website where some will end up providing their confidential card and bank account details. As more people will be hitting the roads this Easter weekend, they might be more inclined to click on such a text message thinking it is legitimate.
The bank has issued the following guidelines for those targeted:
Do not click on links or respond to SMS text messages which appear as if sent by a motorway toll operator looking for payment for an unpaid toll;
Remember that companies such as these, or banks, delivery companies, utility providers and Government agencies will never send a text linking to a website that requests online banking details;
eFlow has advised anyone who receives a text message regarding unpaid tolls to ignore the message and not to open any links. eFlow does not ask customers to open any links to confirm payment details;
Verify the identity of the sender. Call the company using their legitimate phone number (ensure you source it independently of any SMS);
Anyone targeted is encouraged to to contact their bank with any concerns.
