Bank reports 57% of fraud victims duped through “smishing” in first 10 months of 2025
AIB has issued a warning to consumers about text message scams during the festive season, reporting a significant surge in “smishing” fraud throughout 2025.
The bank revealed that half of all fraud victims this year have been duped through text messages, with figures for the first 10 months showing 57% of frauds occurred via SMS.
Smishing—a combination of “SMS” and “phishing”—involves fraudsters sending text messages impersonating legitimate organizations like banks, delivery companies, or government agencies to trick recipients into revealing personal information, clicking malicious links, or transferring money.
Common smishing tactics include:
- Fake bank alerts claiming suspicious account activity requiring immediate verification
- Delivery notifications with links to reschedule packages or pay customs fees
- Tax refund messages from “Revenue” with links to claim money
- Messages claiming unpaid bills or fines requiring urgent payment
- Prize or competition winnings requiring personal details to claim
The festive season creates ideal conditions for smishing scams as people expect legitimate messages about deliveries, online purchases, and financial transactions. Fraudsters exploit this increased message volume and urgency around holiday shopping.
AIB advised customers to:
- Never click links in unexpected text messages
- Verify messages by contacting organizations directly through official channels
- Be suspicious of urgent language pressuring immediate action
- Check sender details carefully—fraudsters often use numbers mimicking legitimate ones
- Never provide banking credentials, PINs, or passwords via text message
- Report suspicious messages to your bank and delete them
Banks never request sensitive information via text message, and legitimate delivery companies provide tracking through official apps rather than unsolicited links.
The 57% figure represents a substantial increase in smishing’s share of fraud, reflecting criminals’ shift toward text-based scams as email phishing detection improves and consumers become more cautious about suspicious emails.
Text messages often bypass spam filters more easily than emails and appear more trustworthy to recipients, particularly older adults less familiar with digital fraud tactics.
The warning comes as Irish consumers face multiple financial pressures, with scammers exploiting cost-of-living concerns and people’s desire to save money or access refunds.
AIB joins other Irish banks in heightening fraud awareness campaigns during the Christmas period, when increased online shopping, charitable donations, and financial transactions create opportunities for criminals.
Anyone who believes they’ve been targeted by smishing should contact their bank immediately, report the incident to Gardaí, and notify the National Cyber Security Centre through its reporting mechanisms.
The surge in text message fraud highlights the evolving nature of financial crime and the importance of remaining vigilant about unsolicited messages, particularly during high-activity periods like Christmas shopping season.