Scams are no longer an occasional nuisance. They are a daily reality – and most people still do not know how to respond when one lands in their inbox, according to new research from FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).
Published on 14 September 2026, the research showed that up to 85 percent of Irish adults received suspicious calls, texts, emails or online content at least once a month in 2026. The report also shows that more than half – 51 percent – of its interviewees said the volume is increasing compared to last year.
While these figures expose the scale of Ireland’s online fraud problem, they also reveal a critical skills gap: most people in the country can spot a scam but far too few know what to do about it.
The research reveals that consumers are recognising red flags. Unknown telephone numbers trigger suspicion for 48 percent of those receiving dodgy calls, while unexpected contact raises alarm for more than a third. Poor writing gives away fraudulent emails for 36 percent of recipients.
In addition, one in four research participants reported being suspicious of mobile phone calls, texts or emails because the communication appeared computer-generated or artificial (AI).
But despite people’s ability to recognise a scam, only 15 percent of those who received a dubious text or email went on to check whether the company or website mentioned was legitimate.
Furthermore, one in ten clicked a link before realising it was suspect, highlighting a gap between sensing danger and acting correctly on one’s instinct.
FraudSMART’s new awareness campaign, called ‘See the Scam Behind the Screen,’ places this skills gap at its centre. The campaign targets social engineering – the manipulation of human emotion and trust that sits behind most of today’s scams.
Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime at BPFI, explained that “fraudsters manipulate people into taking actions such as clicking a link or transferring money. They often exploit emotions such as fear and sympathy and may spend time building trust”.
FraudSMART highlights five simple steps consumers can take to protect themselves:
- Think Before You Click – do not click links, open attachments or respond to unexpected messages.
- Check independently – Use the company’s official website, app or a trusted telephone number. Use Scamchecker.ie to check links and websites.
- Protect your Financial Information – never share banking security codes, full PINs, or passwords and remember your bank will never ask for them.
- Block and Report – block suspicious numbers, emails and social media accounts and report suspected scams.
- Stay One Step Ahead – Sign up for fraud alerts and advice at FraudSMART.ie
The research makes one thing clear. In an environment where suspicious contact arrives monthly for most adults, and where AI is making fraudulent communications harder to distinguish from genuine ones, the ability to evaluate content critically – and respond correctly – is no longer optional. It is essential.
Skills that form the heart of media literacy such as being able to pause, question and verify information is now also a core consumer skill. Knowing how to read a communication critically – assessing its origin, purpose, and legitimacy – matters as much as any technical safeguard.
For more information about the work of FraudSMART visit https://www.fraudsmart.ie
