A research study from the Central Bank of Ireland has uncovered that roughly 35 percent of adults across the country have fallen victim to fraud or scams at some point. Alarmingly, nearly two-thirds of those affected ended up losing money, yet the research highlights a troubling gap in response: 38 percent of victims chose not to notify their bank, payment provider, or any official body.
Released on 28 April 2026, the findings stem from a detailed survey of nearly 3,000 representative adults, offering one of the clearest insights yet into how these crimes touch everyday lives in Ireland.
While official figures show payment fraud totaling €160 million in 2024—a 24.5 percent jump from the previous year—the central bank warns this likely understates the full picture.
Many incidents go unreported, leaving the real toll on consumers far higher than records suggest.
The most widespread issue involved online shopping scams, hitting 48 percent of victims, followed closely by unauthorized debit or credit card transactions at 34 percent.
Other frequent problems included fake delivery service contacts (15 percent) and phishing attempts via email or messages (13 percent).
Although many losses stayed relatively small—with 39 percent under €249—investment-related deceptions stood out as especially damaging.
Affecting just 7 percent of cases, these often resulted in much larger financial hits. One of the research study’s most striking revelations is the strong link between reporting incidents and recovering funds.
Victims who contacted their bank, An Garda Síochána, or another relevant organization recovered their money in 57 percent of cases.
In sharp contrast, those who stayed silent saw recovery rates drop to just 13 percent.
Beyond personal recovery, the act of reporting also aids broader prevention efforts by alerting institutions to patterns and enabling investigations.
The research pinpointed risky digital habits as the most powerful indicator of becoming a fraud target—outweighing factors like age, income, or schooling.
Common behaviors included buying from unknown websites, transmitting banking details over unsecured emails or apps, wiring cash to individuals known only online, replying to random discount offers, skipping multi-factor authentication on payments, and making repeated large online purchases.
Interestingly, broad knowledge of financial topics such as interest rates offered no shield, but targeted awareness of fraud warning signs proved highly effective in lowering risk.
Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Sharon Donnery, emphasized that tackling financial scams remains a top priority for regulators and police worldwide.
She noted that the study equips authorities and banks with better tools to fight the issue collectively.
“Simple changes in how people behave online can make a real difference,” she said, urging victims to come forward promptly.
Reporting not only boosts the chances of getting money back—often with legal protections for unauthorized transactions—but also helps protect others by flagging threats early.
The Central Bank of Ireland is actively collaborating with regulated firms to enhance support for those impacted. As digital transactions grow in frequency and overall adoption across Ireland, the report serves as a reminder that vigilance, smart habits, and swift reporting are essential defenses against an evolving threat.