How to Prevent Fraud & Avoid Online Scams this Christmas & New Year

The festive season is a busy time for many, filled with shopping, travelling, and preparing for the New Year. During this period, it's important to stay alert, as fraudsters often take advantage of the holiday rush to target individuals with scams.

At Avant Money, we’re committed to helping you stay safe with your finances. To avoid online scams and prevent fraud, vigilance is key. Whether you’re shopping online, receiving unexpected emails or texts, or managing your accounts, it’s crucial to recognise scams and prevent fraud as well as knowing how to handle it if it occurs.

How to Prevent and Manage Fraud

Fraud can happen at any time, but it tends to increase during busy periods like Christmas. Fraudsters often take advantage of the festive season, sending unsolicited messages that appear to be from trusted sources, requesting personal details or payment information.

We encourage you to be extra cautious with any messages that ask you to click on links or provide your bank or credit card details. Always verify the authenticity of such messages before responding.

If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam, it's vital to act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to report the issue. If you are experiencing fraud on your Avant Money credit card, please contact the number on the back of your card or refer to our contact details on our Avant Money official website. If you're targeted by cybercrime, reach out to your local Garda station, and keep any evidence, such as screenshots of suspicious messages.

Remember, if you are an Avant Money customer:

• We will never ask for your card details or my.avantmoney.ie login information, no matter the situation.
• We will never ask for your 3D secure OTP (One Time Passcode), answers to security questions, or for you to accept a push notification to cancel a fraudulent transaction.
• We will never request you to log in to your Avant Money account via a link in an email or text message. If you’re unsure about any communication claiming to be from us, don’t hesitate to contact us for verification.

Our Opening Hours Over the Festive Season

If you need to reach us during the Christmas and New Year, you can find our opening hours for Cards, Loans, and Mortgages below. We’re always here to assist with any queries or issues you may have. If you need to report a lost or stolen card or notice any suspicious activity, we’re available 24/7 at 0818 409 511 or, if you’re overseas, at +353 71 959 4040. If you’re having difficulty managing your mortgage repayments or are concerned about missing one, please call our dedicated team at 0818 274 089 for assistance.

We’re here to help make your Christmas and New Year easier, whether it’s with financial guidance or support for your festive plans.

From all at Avant Money, we wish you a happy & safe Christmas!

Avantcard DAC trading as Avant Money is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.