The warning signs
Almost every scam has at least one of these:
- Pressure to act now: “your account has been compromised”, “you’ll be prosecuted”, “the offer ends today”.
- A request to move money, or to pay by bank transfer, gift card or crypto.
- A request for a code, password or PIN. One-time codes are for you alone.
- Contact out of the blue, by text, call, email or social media, even if it looks official or the number looks like your bank’s.
- Something too good to be true: guaranteed returns, a prize you didn’t enter, easy money.
- Being told to keep it secret from your family or your bank.
Common scams in Ireland
| Scam | How it works |
|---|---|
| Bank impersonation | A text or call from your “bank” says there’s a problem, and asks you to move money or share a code |
| Revenue impersonation | You’re due a tax refund or owe tax, with a link to a fake myAccount page |
| Parcel and toll texts | A small delivery fee or an unpaid M50 toll, with a link to a fake site |
| Investment and crypto | Ads, often with fake celebrity or news endorsements, promise high returns |
| Rental scams | A “landlord” asks for a deposit before you’ve viewed the home, often by bank transfer |
| Romance | Someone you’ve never met in person needs money urgently |
| Online shopping | Goods paid for by transfer never arrive |
With rents high and homes hard to find, rental scams are common in Ireland. Never pay a deposit before you’ve seen the property in person and checked who owns it.
Check before you invest
Firms offering investments in Ireland must be authorised, and the Central Bank of Ireland’s register lists those that are. Before you invest, search for the firm there, and check the Central Bank’s warnings about unauthorised firms. Scammers often copy the names and websites of real firms, so contact the firm using details from the register, not from the ad or email.
Protect yourself
- Turn on two-step verification for your bank and email.
- Never share one-time codes, and never move money because someone contacted you.
- Call back on a number you’ve looked up yourself, such as the one on your card.
- Pay for online purchases by card, not bank transfer. Card payments are easier to dispute.
If you’ve been scammed
- Contact your bank straight away. The sooner you report it, the better the chance of stopping the payment.
- Report it to the Gardaí at your local station.
- Change your passwords, starting with your email and bank.
- Check your Central Credit Register report for loans you don’t recognise. See credit scores explained.
If money was taken without your permission, your bank must usually refund it. If you were tricked into sending it yourself, it’s harder to get back. If you’re unhappy with how your bank handles it, complain to the bank, then to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.
Being scammed isn’t something to be embarrassed about: scammers are professionals, and reporting it helps stop them.