Beware of courier card scams

At Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union, your security and peace of mind are always our top priorities. We work closely with trusted sources like FraudSMART (the fraud awareness initiative from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland) and Payac (Credit Unions Current Account Provider) to keep you informed about emerging threats.

A recent warning from FraudSMART highlights a particularly convincing scam known as the "courier card scam", where fraudsters impersonate your bank, credit union or financial provider to trick you into handing over your debit or credit card.

How This Scam Typically Unfolds

It often begins with an unsolicited text message that appears to come from your bank, warning of suspicious activity on your account. The message may look very authentic and urge you to reply or click a link.

Shortly after, you receive a follow-up phone call from someone claiming to be from financial providers security or fraud team. The caller sounds professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely concerned - they may reference specific (but fabricated) transactions to build trust and create a sense of urgency.

Under the pretext of protecting your account, they insist that your card must be collected immediately for "security reasons." They may arrange for a courier, taxi, or delivery person to come to your home. In some cases, they ask you to share your full **PIN** verbally, enter it into your phone, or even delete your banking app as part of a supposed "security process."

Important Truths to Remember 

No legitimate credit union or financial provider - including us - will ever:

• Ask for your full PIN (verbally, by text, email, or over the phone).
• Request that you delete your banking app.
• Send a courier, taxi, or anyone else to your home to collect your card.

Once your card is handed over, fraudsters can quickly withdraw cash or make unauthorised purchases, often before you realise what's happened.

Why These Scams Can Be So Effective 

Fraudsters are skilled at making everything feel urgent and real - using official-looking messages, professional tones, and pressure tactics that make it hard to pause and think. Even the most cautious people can be caught off guard when they believe their money is at immediate risk.

Our Top Tips to Stay Protected

1. Never share your PIN, full card details, or login information with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

2. Ignore and do not respond to unsolicited texts, emails, or calls claiming suspicious activity.

3. Always verify independently - contact us directly using the contact number from our website (https://comharlinnintocu.ie), or our Mobile App. Do not use any numbers or links provided in the suspicious message or call.

4. If something feels off, stop and take a moment - genuine institutions will never rush or pressure you.

5. If you suspect you've been targeted or have already shared details/handed over your card, contact us immediately at (01) 873 1101 and report it to your local Garda station.

Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones 

Scams like this continue to evolve and can target anyone, regardless of how tech-savvy they are. Please share this information with family, friends, and colleagues - the more we talk about these threats, the safer we all become. We also encourage you to sign up for FraudSMART alerts at fraudsmart.ie to stay updated on the latest trends.

Financial Support That Grows with You  

Here at Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union, we're proud to support our teaching community every step of the way - through good times and challenging ones. Your trust means everything to us, and we're committed to helping keep your finances secure.

Always feel free to get in touch if you're unsure about anything - we are here for you, wherever and whenever we can help.

Warm regards,

The Team at Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union