Eir Scam Calls – The Fake "Download Speed" Support Call
Medium RiskOverview
Eir scam calls are cold calls to Irish households from someone claiming to be from eir, asking questions about broadband download speeds and requesting details about your modem or router. The call is designed to sound like a routine technical support enquiry, but the real purpose is to build trust before gaining remote access to your computer, harvesting personal information, or convincing you to pay for unnecessary "upgrades" or "fixes". eir has warned that customers have reported "fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to be a representative of eir calling in relation to an issue/compromise of their broadband service", and that the caller may ask for access to your device or press you for card details. The number on your screen proves nothing: ComReg lists CLI spoofing - faking the calling number so it looks Irish - among the most common scam call techniques in Ireland. These calls reach people who are not eir customers at all, which is one of the clearest tells.
What This Scam Looks Like
Hover over highlighted text to see why it's suspicious
CALLER: "Hello, I'm calling from eir broadband support. We've noticed some issues with download speeds in your area and I'd like to check if you're affected. Can you tell me what speed you're currently getting?" [If you engage, the next step is:] CALLER: "Could you tell me the make and model of your modem? I can check if it needs a firmware update. I may also need to connect to your computer remotely to run a quick diagnostic test."
Highlighted text= Suspicious element (hover for details)
Typical Targets
- •Homeowners with landline numbers
- •Older adults who may be less familiar with their broadband provider
- •People currently experiencing genuine broadband issues
- •Rural households where broadband problems are common
- •Anyone who answers calls from unknown numbers
Why This Scam Works
- •Broadband complaints are common in Ireland, making the premise believable
- •eir is one of Ireland's largest providers, so many households are genuine customers
- •Asking about download speeds sounds like a legitimate technical call
- •The caller is polite and professional, creating a false sense of trust
- •The number displayed can be spoofed to look Irish, so the caller ID appears to back up the story
- •Victims may not immediately realise the call is unsolicited
- •People feel helpful when asked simple technical questions
Real Example
“eir has published a warning about calls of exactly this shape. It says customers have reported "fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to be a representative of eir calling in relation to an issue/compromise of their broadband service", that "the caller may state that in order to fix the issue they need access to your computer/laptop/device", and that the caller may pressure the customer for credit or debit card details to "repair or upgrade the security of the device". eir also notes the call can appear to come from an Irish number because the calling number can be spoofed. (Source: eir, Online Safety, eir.ie/online-safety.)”
* Details changed to protect privacy. Based on reported cases.
How to Avoid This Scam
- eir says it "will never require access to your computer or your credit/debit card details in relation to a fault/repair" - a caller who asks for either is not eir
- If you're not an eir customer and someone calls claiming to be from eir, hang up immediately
- Never share details about your modem, router, or broadband setup with unsolicited callers
- If you're unsure, hang up and call eir yourself on 1901 - dial it, never a number the caller gives you
- Never allow remote access to your computer from an unsolicited call
- Do not install any software requested by a cold caller
- Treat the number on your screen as unreliable: ComReg warns that scam callers spoof Irish numbers
- Be suspicious of any unsolicited call about your broadband, regardless of which provider they claim to be from
If You've Been Caught Out
Don't panic – take these steps immediately:
- 1Contact your bank immediately if you shared any card or financial details, or made a payment - this is eir's own first instruction to anyone who took one of these calls
- 2If you granted remote access, disconnect from the internet and run a full antivirus scan
- 3If you shared modem or router details, change your Wi-Fi password and router admin password
- 4Contact your actual broadband provider to check your account for changes
- 5Report it to your local Garda station. An Garda Síochána asks that fraud "occurring in this jurisdiction should be reported to your local Garda station" - 999 or 112 is for emergencies
- 6Ask your phone provider to block the number. ComReg's advice for persistent scam calls is to contact your service provider and request a block
- 7Check your online accounts for any suspicious activity
* This information is for guidance only. Always seek professional advice for your specific situation.
Who to Contact for Help
eir Customer Care
1901
Verify whether a call was genuine - dial it yourself
Local Garda station
garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory
Where An Garda Síochána asks for fraud to be reported
Your phone provider
See your provider's code of practice
ComReg's route for blocking a persistent scam caller
ComReg
01 804 9668
Consumer queries about your provider. ComReg does not take individual scam-call reports
FraudSMART
fraudsmart.ie
Banking & fraud prevention advice
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