More than half of all fraud cases reported by AIB customers this year began with a text message, according to new figures released by the bank.
AIB revealed that 57% of reported fraud incidents between January and October 2025 were linked to “smishing”, a scam tactic where criminals use deceptive text messages to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or taking harmful actions.
The warning comes as AIB cautions customers to be especially alert during the busy festive season, a time when scammers exploit distraction and rushed decision-making.
“In the run-up to Christmas, as people juggle work, school events, social commitments and last-minute shopping, scammers take advantage of people being under pressure and distracted,” the bank said.
Smishing: the most common scam
Smishing scams typically involve texts pretending to come from banks, delivery companies, or government bodies, urging people to click links, phone numbers, or share security codes.
AIB strongly advises customers to never interact with unexpected messages.
“Do not click on links or call phone numbers in unsolicited texts. Always contact the organisation using verified contact details,” the bank said.
Safe account scams on the rise
The bank is also highlighting the continued threat of safe account scams, where criminals impersonate bank staff and falsely claim an account has been compromised. Victims are then instructed to move funds into a so-called “safe” account controlled by the fraudster.
AIB stressed that no legitimate bank will ever ask customers to transfer money for security reasons.
“If this happens, hang up immediately,” the bank warned.
High-value investment scams
While investment scams accounted for just 8% of reported cases, AIB noted that financial losses in these scams are often significantly higher. Fraudsters typically promise unrealistic returns through fake opportunities involving cryptocurrency, bonds, or precious metals.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always seek independent financial advice before investing,” the bank advised.
Romance scams and other fraud types
Romance scams represented 2% of reported fraud, with criminals creating fake online personas to build emotional trust before requesting money or personal details.
“Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person,” AIB cautioned.
Other fraud types reported include money mule recruitment, where individuals are tricked into moving stolen funds through their accounts under the guise of easy jobs, and shopping scams, involving fake or cloned online stores advertising goods that never arrive.
Awareness is the strongest defence
Mary McHale, Head of Financial Crime at AIB, said criminals are constantly refining their methods.
“Fraudsters are continuously adapting, making scams harder to detect than ever before,” she said.
She emphasized that awareness and hesitation can prevent major losses.
“Take a moment to stop and ask yourself: could this be a scam? Even a short pause can make all the difference.”
“It could save you tens of thousands of euro and be the difference between a joyful Christmas and a devastating one,” she added.
Ms McHale confirmed that AIB continues to invest heavily in fraud detection and monitoring systems and encouraged customers to visit the security section of the bank’s website for guidance on protecting themselves against scams.
Click here to read a recent Nova article - Top tips on how to avoid to avoid banking scams.
