Bank Highlights Six Leading Fraud & Scam Trends Seen In 2025.

Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated year on year, and scams are increasingly difficult to spot.
AIB is urging customers and the wider public to stay vigilant by knowing the warning signs and taking a moment to verify unexpected messages, calls and offers.

AIB’s Financial Crime Prevention team has outlined the six most common fraud and scam types observed during 2025, along with practical tips to help people protect themselves.

The six top fraud scams seen in 2025.
1) Smishing — text message fraud.
Fraudsters send convincing texts claiming to be from banks, delivery firms or government agencies, urging you to click a link, call a number, or share security codes.
Tip: Never click links or call numbers in unexpected texts. Contact the organisation directly using trusted contact details.

2) Safe account scams.
Scammers pose as bank staff and claim your account is compromised, pressuring you to move funds to a “safe” account that they control.
Tip: AIB will never ask you to move your money for security reasons. Hang up immediately.

3) Investment scams.
Fraudsters promise high returns to lure victims into fake schemes, often involving cryptocurrency, bonds or precious metals.
Tip: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Seek independent financial advice before investing.

4) Romance scams.
Scammers create fake online identities to build emotional relationships, then ask for money or personal information.
Tip: Never send money or gifts to someone you haven’t met in person.

5) Money mule recruitment.
Criminals recruit people to move stolen funds through their accounts, often marketed as “easy money” jobs.
Tip: Never agree to transfer money for someone else or allow anyone to use your bank account — this is illegal.

6) Shopping scams.
Fraudsters create cloned websites or social media “shops” offering goods that don’t exist.
Tip: Stick to platforms you trust, check independent reviews, and ask: is the price too good to be true?

AIB help.
If you think you’ve been scammed, contact AIB immediately on the 24/7 fraud reporting line: 1800 24 22 27 (or +353 1 771 5639 from outside Ireland). You can also find further guidance and contact options in the AIB Security Centre.

Security reminder.
Unfortunately, some fraudsters send emails pretending to be from AIB.
Please remember:
AIB will never ask you to provide your Personal Access Code (PAC) by email or via links in an email.
AIB will never ask for Code Card or AIB Card Reader codes by email or via links in an email.
AIB will never ask you to provide debit or credit card details by email or via links in an email.