This is when a fraudster sends a text message to you pretending to be from your bank. This is also known as 'smishing'.
The text message may advise that there's a problem with your bank account, asking you to call a phone number. If you call, fraudsters will try to trick you into giving away your personal and security information.
The message may say that personal information about you has been posted online and ask you to visit a website. Using the link in the message may lead to an attempt to infect your computer or mobile device with a virus.
There will be a sense of urgency to the message, encouraging you to act fast, open a link or respond to the message.
The scammers might use capital letters or frightening language to make you believe your bank account has been accessed.
By telling you a specific amount has been withdrawn from your account, fraudsters want to make you panic.
Don’t respond to them. Check your bank balance using online banking or our mobile app for peace of mind.
They will tell you to “act fast” so you will act without thinking or claim that your account has been accessed at a specific time to make the message seem genuine.
Scammers will say a specific device was used to log in to your online banking to make the scam seem real. They may tell you an unauthorised or unknown device was used.
Another way fraudsters try to trick you is by using language you’d expect to hear from a bank or a company you trust, such as a slogan or phrases.
There have been cases where fraudsters send a smishing text and then quickly follow up with a phone call, to make the scam appear more real. When a fraudster uses a phone call to try to trick you into telling them your financial information, it’s known as vishing.
Fraudsters will claim that they are messaging from Isle of Man Bank. They will try and convince you to click the link in the message by telling you that your phone number has been updated and asking you to follow the link to correct it.
Alternatively they may say that they suspect fraudulent activity on your account and you need to click the link to find out more. The link will then take you to a site where they'll try to steal your banking information.
If you have received a suspicious text message referring to Isle of Man Bank, please forward the text to us at:
07860 009378
From abroad: +44 7860 009378
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Emails pretending to be from legitimate sources, however that are asking you to give away personal or private information.
Phone calls from fraudsters that encourage you to give out personal details, such as your debit card number or card reader codes.
Identity theft is when a fraudster steals your personal information to impersonate you, open accounts, obtain credit or set up businesses.
