Irish banks are warning consumers and businesses to be on high alert for a rise in so-called smishing scams in the lead-up to Christmas, as fraudsters increasingly exploit busy periods and heightened online activity. New figures show that text message fraud remains the most common source of payment scams reported by customers this year.
AIB has revealed that more than half of all payment fraud cases reported by its customers originated from fraudulent text messages. Smishing accounted for 57% of reported incidents during the first ten months of 2025, prompting the bank to issue a renewed call for vigilance during the festive period.
The bank has cautioned that criminals are becoming more sophisticated, targeting individuals and businesses alike at times when people are distracted by work, family commitments and last-minute shopping. Smishing typically involves convincing texts that appear to come from trusted sources such as banks, delivery firms or government bodies, encouraging recipients to click links, call phone numbers or share security codes.
AIB has reiterated that customers should never click on links or ring numbers included in unexpected messages. Instead, people are advised to contact organisations using verified contact details obtained independently. The bank has also highlighted an increase in so-called safe account scams, where fraudsters pose as bank staff and claim an account has been compromised. Victims are then instructed to transfer funds to an account controlled by the criminal. AIB stressed that no legitimate bank will ever ask a customer to move money for security reasons and advises people to end the call immediately if this occurs.
Investment scams represented a smaller proportion of reported cases, accounting for 8%, but the bank warned that financial losses from these schemes can be substantial. These scams often promise high or guaranteed returns through fake investment opportunities, including cryptocurrency, bonds or precious metals. Consumers are urged to treat such offers with caution and to seek independent financial advice before committing funds.
Romance scams made up 2% of reported frauds, with criminals creating fake online profiles to build emotional connections before requesting money or personal information. Customers are advised never to send money or gifts to individuals they have not met in person.
Other fraud types reported this year include money mule recruitment, where individuals are asked to move stolen funds through their own accounts under the guise of easy income, and shopping scams involving cloned websites or fake social media shops offering goods that never arrive.
AIB’s Head of Financial Crime, Mary McHale, said fraudsters are continually adapting their methods, making scams increasingly difficult to identify. She emphasised that awareness remains the strongest defence, encouraging people to pause and question unexpected requests before acting. Taking a moment to double-check, she said, can prevent significant financial loss during what should be a positive time of year.
Bank of Ireland has issued similar warnings, noting a sharp increase in fraud-related contacts during the Christmas period last year. Its fraud prevention team handled more than 10,000 customer calls between 23 and 29 December, including hundreds on Christmas Day alone. The bank expects scam activity to intensify again this year as online shopping and parcel deliveries peak.
Bank of Ireland has warned that many smishing texts imitate delivery companies, toll operators, utility providers, government agencies or banks, often directing recipients to fake websites designed to steal card or online banking details. Other messages include fake phone numbers that connect callers directly to fraudsters posing as legitimate representatives. The bank has confirmed that its fraud support team will operate around the clock throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for general guidance only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, details may change and errors may occur. This content does not constitute financial, legal or professional advice. Readers should seek appropriate professional guidance before making decisions. Neither the publisher nor the authors accept liability for any loss arising from reliance on this material.
