If It Looks Too Good To Be True, It Probably Wants Your Card Details

84% of people in Ireland believe fraud to be a big problem in society today. That's according to Bank of Ireland National Fraud survey with RedC Research (August 2025).

With Christmas coming, everyone’s chasing bargains - and fraudsters are in the mix too, making it one of their busiest times of the year.

Friday November 21st is Fraud Friday. We've teamed up with Bank of Ireland to give away Samsung Galaxy Book4 360.

Simply fill out this form to be in with a chance of winning and with Black Friday just around the corner, find out below about how you can stay cyber safe.

Not All Social Is Social

Bank of Ireland’s message is clear: not everything on social media is social. Most fraud now starts there - with survey respondents citing that 86% of social scams happen on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Why We Click: The Psychology of Online Scams

Prof. Mary Aiken, an international cyberpsychologist, working with Bank of Ireland on their fraud campaign, explains that fraudsters rush people into acting fast by using tactics like urgency (“offer ends soon”), fake reviews, clickbait offers, and impersonating brands we know and trust.

How to Keep Yourself Safe

· Do your research before buying online

· Check independent reviews to make sure a seller is genuine

· Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or social media ads

· Use security tools like Verification of Payee (VOP) to confirm payee details

· Turn on spend alerts in your banking app to track transactions

Stay smart and safe online: Stop, Think, Check before you buy. Before clicking “Buy Now” on that amazing deal, pause to make sure it’s real - the best bargain is the one that keeps your money safe.

For more advice, visit the Bank of Ireland Security Zone online.