AIB Reports A 79% Increase In A Specific Type Of Fraud In 2025
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AIB recently reported that there has been a massive increase in reports of phone call fraud. Specifically, voice phishing fraud, also known as vishing, surged by 79% in January and February compared to the same period last year.
Vishing is a type of phone fraud where scammers call their victims and falsely present themselves as representatives of financial institutions or reputable companies. This type of fraud has been directed at unsuspecting personnel or business customers.
Usually, they would tell their victims that they are being offered a refund by a company, or that they must stop a payment that is fraudulent. In some cases, they would even say that they need confidential information to fix a broadband issue.
There have been other examples, one of which was highlighted by the Irish bank. According to the bank, some people were called by financial criminals who asked them to download specific software on their devices or visit a specific website. In both cases, it would be a way for bad actors to use malicious software to take control of the victim’s device, access their accounts, and steal their money.
AIB Official Urges People To Stay Alert
AIB particularly stressed that staff members responsible for managing accounts within businesses should be aware of vishing fraud.
Commenting on the sharp rise in fraud cases, Mary McHale, who works as the head of financial crime at AIB, stated that fraudsters’ goal is to steal their victims’ money, and they will use any means at their disposal to achieve this goal.
She pointed out that they can and will pose as legitimate firms, bank staff, or otherwise, to trick victims into downloading software or providing financial and personal information. There have even been cases where they were able to mimic companies’ genuine phone numbers, which is why users are advised to remain vigilant and never let their guard down.
Users are advised to ask themselves if the call might be a scam each time when they find themselves talking to the alleged representative of any business, bank, or some other similar entity. If they feel that something is not right, they are advised to end the call immediately and verify the legitimacy of the call using a known and trusted phone number.
