Scammers cost Irish adults €760m last year - survey

Scammers caused an estimated €760 million in financial losses to Irish adults in 2025, according to a new survey conducted by IT security firm Ekco. The findings reveal a widespread issue, with nearly all residents, 96 percent, reporting they had been targeted by fraudulent activity during the past year. On average, individuals faced five scam attempts monthly, totaling approximately 63 incidents annually. The survey, which gathered responses from a broad sample of the population, indicated that a majority of participants believed they could recognize phishing attempts through emails or texts. Specifically, 80 percent of respondents expressed confidence in identifying such scams. However, this optimism did not translate into complete protection, as more than one in five individuals, 22 percent, fell victim to at least one scam. Just under one in seven people experienced repeated deception, with some reporting multiple instances throughout the year. Those who were successfully tricked into transferring funds suffered an average loss of €890. Ekco estimated that these figures, assuming the survey results reflect broader trends, equate to a total loss of €760 million for Irish adults in 2025. Among the most prevalent types of fraud were customs charge scams, which affected 48 percent of respondents. These scams typically involve fake messages requesting payment for purported customs duties or taxes. The frequency of such attacks is expected to rise following the implementation of new EU regulations in July, which will impose additional charges on packages entering Ireland from non-EU countries. Goods valued below €150 will be subject to handling fees, increasing the likelihood of encountering fraudulent demands. Official data suggests that around six billion packages worth less than €150 entered EU member states from outside the bloc last year. This translates to roughly 16 million items daily, or approximately 200 per second. Given these numbers, it is highly probable that nearly all adult EU citizens encountered at least one instance of a customs-related scam. In addition to customs charge scams, other frequently reported schemes included requests to verify payment details, affecting 37 percent of respondents, and toll charge scams, impacting 27 percent. The psychological impact of these threats was also noted, with 41 percent of adults expressing stress related to maintaining vigilance against potential fraud. Despite the prevalence of scams, opinions on victims varied. A quarter of respondents viewed those who fell for scams as either naive or careless, a sentiment that grew stronger among younger age groups, reaching nearly one-third of those aged 18 to 24. Conor Scolard, Director of Cyber Resilience at Ekco, emphasized the evolving nature of cybercrime. He stated that the persistence of scam attempts is largely due to criminals adapting their tactics to remain effective. While many individuals believe they can detect fraudulent communications, the sophistication of these efforts continues to challenge even well-informed users. Scolard urged increased investment in cybersecurity measures and consumer education, particularly regarding the dangers of sharing personal or financial information online.