Be Fraud Smart
25 March, 2025
Be Fraud Smart: Majority of consumers now targeted
FraudSmart has launched an awareness campaign targeted at consumers as majority of consumers targeted monthly by scammers.
- Almost half of Irish adults (45%) report being targeted with more scam communications than the same time last year
- Main channels used by scammers are mobile phone texts and calls
- FraudSMART launch major new campaign supported by Google focusing on the dangers of ‘social engineering’ tactics where victims are manipulated or groomed into divulging confidential information
More than three quarters (78%) of Irish adults are being targeted with scam text messages, emails, phone calls or online content at least monthly according to the latest research undertaken by FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The research was undertaken as part of a major new FraudSMART awareness campaign See the Scam behind the Screen, supported by Google, to highlight the uptick in and dangers of social engineering tactics which now underpin the majority of frauds and scams and are increasingly being used by criminals to groom or manipulate victims into transferring money or divulging personal and financial details.
Key findings from the research:
- 78% of Irish adults are targeted with scam text messages, emails, phone calls or online content at least monthly.
- Scam communications are on the rise with some 45% of consumers saying they are being targeted with more suspicious activity than the same time last year.
- The main channel for scam communications was via mobile phone (58% encountered scam text messages and 52% scam calls on mobile). Almost half (48%) encountered scam emails.
- Just over half of mobile phone users are taking important scam prevention measures including blocking suspicious numbers (58%) and ignoring unsolicited phone calls or messages/calls from unrecognised numbers (55% and 53% respectively).
- However, when asked about clicking on links in text messages, social media or instant messenger only 53% reported proactively never clicking on such links.
- Concerningly less than one third of consumers are taking basic online security precautions when online:
- Only 32% saying they check for the ‘https’ at the beginning of a web address
- Just 27% said they use secured internet rather than public wi-fi
- Only 27% said they checked there is a padlock image at the beginning of the web address on the checkout page when making a purchase online
- Just 26% visit a website of a company as opposed to clicking through to the website via links on social media or pop-up adverts
What can I do to best protect myself?
- Think Before You Click – pause before engaging with unexpected messages, emails or offers.
- Verify, Don’t Trust – always independently check websites, senders, and requests. Use Scamchecker.ie
- Protect your Financial Information – never share banking security codes, full PINs, or passwords and remember your bank will never ask for them
- Block & Report – stop repeat scams by blocking and reporting fraud attempts.
- Stay One Step Ahead – knowledge is power. Sign up for real-time scam alerts through FraudSMART.ie
What do I do if I think I have fallen for a Scam?
If you think you have fallen for a scam, report it to us by using the details on our contact us page and Gardaí immediately.
