In January and February 2025, there was a sharp increase in reports of phone calls or voice phishing fraud (vishing), with overall vishing increasing by 79 per cent compared to the same two months last year.
Fraudsters are using phone calls more often to target unsuspecting customers. These calls claim to represent reputable companies and financial institutions.
According to AIB, common tricks used on these calls include: offering a refund, claiming to stop a fraudulent payment or even advising they are going to fix an issue with your broadband.
Fraudsters often ask you to download software to your device or to visit a ‘secure’ website.
By following the caller’s instructions, you are allowing them to take control of your device and by providing codes are allowing them to access your accounts and take money from you.
AIB said businesses need to be aware of the threats associated with phone call fraud and ensure all staff who manage their accounts are aware of the risks of giving away information or downloading software.
One of their business customers, who wishes to remain anonymous, was recently a victim of vishing fraud and has shared their story to alert other customers of these scams.
On the 17th February, the customer’s business received a call on its landline. The caller, who introduced himself as Gavin from AIB’s fraud team, told the customer that there were two payments due to leave their account.
To make the story seem legitimate, Gavin provided amounts and reference numbers for these payments.
When the customer told him she had not made these payments, ‘Gavin’ advised her with a sense of urgency that he would be able to get them cancelled but would need to take her to a secure webchat facility.
He advised them that this was for their security, and swift action was required.
Their customer was told to open the browser on her PC and type in a web address.
In the moment and out of panic that fraud was occurring on her account, the customer followed Gavin’s instructions and visited a fake AIB website.
What she did not realise was that this site contained software that allowed ‘Gavin’ to access her PC. Unknowingly, the customer also provided security codes to the caller which allowed a payment of €41,000 to be made.
Gavin then called AIB’s Customer Engagement Centre, posing as their customer requesting the payment be processed without delay.
The AIB staff member immediately knew something was wrong, ended the call and contacted our genuine customer.
While this was a good outcome for the customer, this is not always the case. Customers need to be aware of the following to safeguard both their personal and financial information.
AIB’s head of financial crime, Mary McHale said ”Fraudsters will use any means to steal your money.
"They will pose as legitimate companies or bank staff to trick you into downloading software and providing personal and financial information. They may even mimic a company’s genuine phone number.
"We urge people not to let their guard down and remain vigilant. Take a moment and ask yourself, could this be a scam? End the call immediately and verify its legitimacy on a known and trusted phone number."
