Major rise in purchase scams in the first half of 2025 as Bank of Ireland issues consumer warning

Ahead of the busiest retail weeks of the year, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas shopping period, Bank of Ireland is advising consumers to remain vigilant of purchase scams.

Recent analysis by Bank of Ireland’s Fraud team revealed that purchase scam cases rose by 47% in the first half of 2025 when compared to the final six months of 2024. The monetary value of losses associated with these scam cases rose by 16%, with consumers being defrauded on items ranging from cosmetics to electronics, garden tools to concert tickets.

Online purchases tend to rise in the second half of the year, as Bank of Ireland card spending analysis reveals that online outlay was higher on cosmetics (+34%), and electrical goods (+39%) between July and December 2024 when compared to the first six months of 2025. This consumer trend is emphasised further with online clothes shopping spend 22% higher in the second six months of 2024 when compared to the first half of 2025, as demand for the latest fashions increases as the year draws to a close.

Given these spending pattern hikes it is not surprising that many consumers will be looking to grab an on-trend beauty product, the latest fashion item or a tech bargain over the coming weeks.

With purchasing overall reaching peak levels, fraudsters take advantage of the increased online retail traffic, targeting these key gifting categories including electronics, beauty products and clothing. They are highly skilled at creating fake websites that appear genuine, displaying the latest “styles” at “keen” prices to lure people into purchasing top-end clothing at seemingly giveaway rates. Once the payment is transferred, the scam is complete and the seller usually cuts all contact, and the product doesn’t arrive.

Bank of Ireland’s advice to customers when making a purchase during the busy retail period:

Before paying in full, ensure you have enough information about the item, and where possible, view it in person.

Beware of pop-up ads on your social media feed or ads on online market places (fraudsters can pay to have their ads appear there).

Go directly to the online shopping site by typing the web address into your web browser.

Links in unsolicited emails or on social media are not always safe and should be avoided.

Research and read trusted reviews to check the site and the seller are genuine.

Try and pay by debit or credit card, as this could give you additional protection such as chargeback claims.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas fast-approaching fraudsters will be redoubling their efforts to target people. It’s only natural that consumers will be on the lookout to snap up the latest bargains over the coming weeks, but our advice continues to be that if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. The 47% rise in purchase scams in the first half of this year underlines the need for people to stay vigilant, to buy from trusted outlets and websites, and to avoid complacency when shopping online or in person.”

Anyone suspecting they have been a victim of fraud should contact their bank immediately so that the bank can try to stop the fraud, and try to recover the funds. Bank of Ireland customers can call the Fraud Team 24/7 on the Freephone line 1800 946 764.

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