Question: I have recently received a barrage of texts from ‘An Post’. The texts are parcel notifications, informing me that my delivery is delayed due to missing information.

The first time I got the text, I was expecting a delivery so I clicked the link to update my details. Then I spotted that the number was a jumbled mess, and I was suspicious. I realised it was a scam and clicked off.

Some of these scams are so convincing and I’m worried that my mum, who is in her seventies and lives on her own, could accidentally give away sensitive details. How do I help to protect her from fraud?

Answer: You are right to be vigilant about this. Scams are increasing in volume and complexity, and research published just this week has found that more than three quarters (78%) of Irish adults are targeted with scam text messages, emails, phone calls or online content every month.

The research was undertaken by the Banking & Payments Federation of Ireland’s (BPFI), as part of a FraudSMART awareness campaign supported by Google, to raise awareness about the risks of online fraud.

The findings revealed that scams are on the rise, with 45% of consumers noting they are being targeted more compared to this time last year. Mobile phones were the main channel for scam communications.

Of those surveyed, 58% received scam text messages, 52% received scam calls, and nearly half of the respondents had been targeted by scam emails.

Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at BPFI, identifies the red flags that exist across all types of scam communications.

“No matter what the channel of communication is – whether it is a text message, an email or a phone call – the same tactics are used. It’s out of the blue and it’s asking you for personal or financial information. Fraudsters play on our emotions and often there is a sense of urgency.

For example, you get a text saying your electricity bill went unpaid, you want to pay it so the electricity doesn’t get cut off. Or for a business email, it could be your CEO saying ‘I need you to urgently do this, I’m not in the office’. The intent is to make you act without thinking.”

“Think before you click,” says Niamh. “Our advice would be don’t click on the link, but if you want to check the legitimacy of it, go to fraudsmart.scamchecker.ie and paste the link in. Take the time to verify it and don’t trust something at face value.”

Criminal gangs

Although people are more wary of scams when asked for financial information, Niamh warns that personal information also helps scammers to build up a profile of you.

“The things we post on social media gives out so much information. If you post your birthday, that’s your date of birth. If you post you’re out celebrating and you were in X restaurant, there’s recent transactions in your account. You post a picture of your dog, that’s often a person’s password. It’s all public information we’re willingly giving criminals unfortunately.”

The fact that our lives are being played out online means that people of all ages are falling victim to fraud.

The perception that older people are the main victims of scams is untrue, with younger age groups also affected. “Investment scams [where fraudsters promise guaranteed returns on investment] may be targeted at an older population, as they might have more money to invest, but anyone can fall victim to scams. It’s often easy for younger people to click on a link, it’s second nature to them.”

Mental wellbeing

Besides the obvious financial ramifications of being scammed, the mental wellbeing of victims is also impacted.

“People are losing their life savings. We’ve heard of cases where husbands lose the money for their retirement plan and they don’t tell their wife,” says Niamh. “Fraud is in the media every day so nobody should be embarrassed to come forward. Talk to one person you trust. These scammers are professionals, they are organised crime gangs and it’s their full-time job.”

“If you think you’ve fallen victim, the first thing you need to do is report it to your bank. Call the number on the back of your bank card.

“Fraud is really under- reported so the garda would urge anyone to report it. Any information helps them to have that bigger picture.”

“The sooner you seek help, the better chance you have of recovery.”

The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) represents the banking, payments and fintech sector in Ireland, and FraudSMART is their fraud awareness initiative. See FraudSMART.ie