Bank of Ireland has issued a fresh alert to customers regarding a spike in fraudulent messages demanding payment of customs charges.
The warning comes as new regulations on cross-border e-commerce imports are set to take effect on July 1, creating a window of confusion that criminals are actively exploiting.
The bank advises clients to remain vigilant against communications purporting to be from customs authorities or logistics providers.
These scams typically seek immediate payment for duties on goods purchased from websites outside the European Union, leveraging the timing of the regulatory change to lend credibility to the fraud.
This development aligns with a broader pattern of fraud targeting European consumers.
A recent surge in similar scams has been identified across the bloc, with consumer watchdogs noting that criminals are capitalizing on the complexity of new customs rules.