The number of fraudsters using family impersonation to prey on customers is on the rise.

Bank of Ireland is warning that there was a 25% increase in customers falling victim to "Hi Mum/Dad" text scams in July.

It said the increase coincides with the holiday season, with family members likely to be away from home.

Fraudsters are sending fake messages purporting to be from a member of the family with a lost or damaged phone who needs access to money, the bank has said.

"These messages ultimately lead the customer to website links that are not genuine and are an attempt to collect personal card and online banking details," it explained.

"In an increasing number of cases, fraudsters are asking people to go to their branch to make a payment, with the value of these payments in the months of May to July close to trebling when compared the previous three months".

Text messaging on a smartphone. Picture by: Tero Vesalainen / Alamy Stock Photo

Cases of "Hi Mum…" text message scams have a similar format, followed by a request intended to look like it’s from a child asking for help to pay for something urgently.

In some cases, the message will ask for a payment to be made to a specific bank account or for a card number, and then to set it up on a digital wallet such as Apple or Google Pay or Google Pay.

Bank of Ireland Head of Fraud Nicola Sadlier said so-called 'smishing' attacks come in waves.

"The sense of urgency in this current wave of text message is deliberately designed to cause panic, meaning customers are unfortunately acting on the request before considering a rational response," she said

"If a text prompts you to act immediately – stop, think and check before reacting.

"Our advice to customers is, no matter what you’re being told in a text, always call your son or daughter back on the number that you know," she added.

Bank of Ireland customers who get a suspicious text should e-mail a screenshot to 365Security@boi.com and then delete the text.

Customers who think they gave away their banking details are advised to call their 1800-946-764 immediately.

Main image: Screen shot of a text message sent by a scammer. Picture by: Mark Coope / Alamy Stock Photo