Notice on Phishing emails

Central Bank of Ireland

We are aware of ongoing activities by fraudulent and criminal entities to impersonate Central Bank of Ireland and members of our senior leadership team online. While we have published extensive guidance on financial fraud and routine phishing, we wish to highlight more sophisticated social‑engineering tactics that may not resemble typical scams.

What to watch out for:

  • Subtle first contact
    Some attempts begin with a brief, innocuous message that contains no links, no attachments, and no immediate request – a simple message aiming to prompt a response. The goal is to start a conversation, build familiarity, and progressively introduce unusual or sensitive asks over time.

  • Out‑of‑context outreach
    Treat messages – purporting to come from the Central Bank –  as suspicious if they appear to come from a senior executive you would not normally hear from, or if the topic is unrelated to your prior dealings with us – especially when coupled with urgency, secrecy or a feeling of threat or intimidation.

  • Lookalike identities
    Impersonators may use realistic‑looking emails, domains, or social profiles. Minor spelling differences or similar – but unfamiliar – handles can be indicators.

How to verify and respond:

  • Use official channels
    If you receive unexpected contact from anyone claiming to represent Central Bank of Ireland or any of our leadership team by any means (email, voice, text, post, etc), please verify the information via the contact details listed on our official website or enquire via your usual Central Bank contact before replying.

  • Limit engagement
    Avoid continuing a conversation/exchange until you have verified the sender’s identity through an alternate, trusted method. A simple reply may encourage further targeting.

  • Report suspicious activity
    Contact us if you are unsure about any emails you receive that seemingly come from the Central Bank.

We actively work with platforms and relevant authorities to address fraudulent accounts.  Your input is vital, and we thank you for your continued vigilance.

Find out more about scams & fraud.