{"id":7309,"date":"2026-09-28T10:40:35","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medialiteracyireland.ie\/?p=7309"},"modified":"2026-09-28T10:40:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:40:36","slug":"fraudsmart-wants-people-to-see-the-scam-behind-the-screen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medialiteracyireland.ie\/ga\/fraudsmart-wants-people-to-see-the-scam-behind-the-screen\/","title":{"rendered":"FraudSMART wants people to \u2018See the Scam Behind the Screen\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scams are no longer an occasional nuisance. They are a daily reality \u2013 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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 51 percent \u2013 of its interviewees said the volume is increasing compared to last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these figures expose the scale of Ireland\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But despite people\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, one in ten clicked a link before realising it was suspect, highlighting a gap between sensing danger and acting correctly on one\u2019s instinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FraudSMART’s new awareness campaign,\u00a0called \u2018See the Scam Behind the Screen,\u2019 places this skills gap at its centre. The campaign targets social engineering \u2013 the manipulation of human emotion and trust that sits behind most of today\u2019s scams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime at BPFI, explained that \u201cfraudsters 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\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FraudSMART highlights five simple steps consumers can take to protect themselves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n