Bank of Ireland has launched a fraud awareness campaign warning customers to be vigilant about being overcharged during in-person card transactions, as reports of the scam continue to rise in busy retail and service environments.
The bank said the fraud typically involves a customer being quoted one price verbally, while a higher amount is secretly entered into the payment terminal. The discrepancy often goes unnoticed when customers are distracted, rushed, or paying in crowded settings.
The campaign, titled “Think Before You Tap,” urges customers to take a moment to verify the amount displayed on the card reader before completing any payment by tapping, inserting a card, or entering a PIN.
Bank of Ireland has noted an increase in complaints from customers who discovered later that they were charged significantly more than expected. Officials say these incidents are most common in high-pressure situations such as busy shops, transport hubs, and seasonal tourist areas where transactions are processed quickly.
Nicole Sadlier, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland, said fraudsters are deliberately exploiting distraction and urgency. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, she explained that customers are often “rushed and being charged a higher amount at the point of sale.”
“It’s busy environments, customers are distracted and fraudsters are preying on that,” she said.
Sadlier advised customers to remain alert and ensure they are fully aware of the amount being charged before approving any transaction. “Customers should validate the amount they’re seeing input on that screen before they tap their card or insert their card and PIN,” she said.
She also encouraged people to take their time during payments and avoid feeling pressured. “We’re trying to prevent it from the outset, so we’d like you to check that terminal point of sale,” she added, noting that the bank’s fraud support services are available around the clock to assist customers who believe they have been affected.
With increased travel expected during the summer months, Sadlier warned that consumers should be especially careful when paying in unfamiliar environments or foreign currencies.
The bank’s campaign highlights several key safety measures. Customers are advised to always check the payment amount shown on the terminal before approving a transaction, avoid rushing or feeling pressured, and never hand their card to someone else to complete a payment. It also recommends enabling transaction alerts and regularly reviewing bank statements to quickly detect any unusual activity.
Bank of Ireland says awareness and a few extra seconds of caution can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to this type of fraud.
