The internet has opened up a world of possibilities for people of all ages. Video calls with grandchildren, online banking, booking GP appointments through telehealth, shopping from the comfort of home. For many older adults in Ireland, going online has become part of daily life, and rightly so.
But with those benefits come risks. Online fraud and scams are on the rise across Ireland, and unfortunately, older adults are disproportionately targeted. The good news? A few practical habits can dramatically reduce your risk. You don’t need to be a tech expert. You just need to know what to watch out for.
TLDR
Online scams targeting older adults are increasing in Ireland, from phishing emails to fake phone calls and social media fraud. Protecting yourself comes down to a few key habits: never share passwords or PINs, be suspicious of unsolicited contact, verify requests through official channels, and keep your devices updated. Free support is available through Age Action Ireland, local libraries, and An Garda Síochána.
The Scams to Watch Out For
Scammers are creative, and their tactics evolve quickly. Here are the most common types affecting people in Ireland right now.
Phishing Emails and Texts
These are messages designed to look like they come from a trusted source, such as your bank, Revenue, An Post, or even the HSE. They typically create a sense of urgency: “Your account has been compromised”, “You have an unpaid customs charge”, or “Your medical card needs to be renewed immediately.”
The goal is to get you to click a link and enter personal details, such as login credentials, bank details, or your PPS number. The link leads to a fake website that looks convincingly real.
What to do: Never click links in unexpected emails or texts. If you’re unsure, go directly to the organisation’s website by typing the address into your browser, or phone them using the number on your card or statement. Legitimate organisations will never ask you to share your full password or PIN by email or text.
Phone Scams (Vishing)
You receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank, a government department, or a tech company like Microsoft. They might say there’s suspicious activity on your account, or that your computer has a virus. They sound professional and authoritative.
These callers may ask you to transfer money to a “safe account”, install remote access software on your computer, or share one-time security codes sent to your phone.
What to do: Hang up. It’s not rude; it’s sensible. No bank or government body will ever ask you to transfer money over the phone. If you’re concerned the call might be genuine, hang up and call the organisation directly using their official number. Wait a few minutes before calling back, as scammers can sometimes keep the line open.
Social Media and Messaging Scams
Facebook and WhatsApp are popular platforms for older adults in Ireland, which makes them popular with scammers too. Common tactics include fake competition pages (“You’ve won a Dunnes voucher!”), romance scams where someone builds a relationship over weeks before asking for money, and impersonation scams where a “friend” messages from a hacked account asking for help.
What to do: Be cautious about friend requests from people you don’t recognise. If a friend sends an unusual message asking for money or personal information, contact them through a different channel (phone call, for example) to verify it’s really them.
Doorstep and Courier Scams
While not strictly online, these often begin digitally. You might receive a text about a missed delivery, directing you to a website to “reschedule” and pay a small fee. That fee captures your card details. Similarly, callers may claim to be from a utility company and ask for immediate payment.
What to do: Check delivery notifications against orders you’ve actually placed. Never pay fees through links in text messages. Utility companies send bills through official channels, not random texts.
Simple Habits That Keep You Safe
You don’t need to memorise a long list of rules. These five habits will cover most situations:
1. Pause before you act. Scammers rely on urgency. “Act now or your account will be closed!” is designed to make you react without thinking. Take a breath. If it’s genuinely important, it can wait ten minutes while you verify.
2. Guard your personal information. Your PPS number, bank details, passwords, and one-time codes are private. No legitimate organisation will ask for them via email, text, or an unexpected phone call.
3. Use strong, unique passwords. A good password is at least 12 characters and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid obvious choices like birthdays or pet names. If remembering multiple passwords is difficult, consider writing them in a notebook kept somewhere safe at home, or ask a family member to help you set up a password manager.
4. Keep your devices updated. Those update notifications on your phone, tablet, or computer aren’t just annoying pop-ups. They often include security fixes that protect you from known threats. Get into the habit of accepting updates when prompted, or set them to install automatically.
5. Talk about it. If something feels off, discuss it with someone you trust before taking action. Scammers count on isolation and embarrassment. There’s absolutely no shame in asking, “Does this look right to you?”
What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam, act quickly:
Contact your bank immediately. If you’ve shared financial information or made a payment, your bank may be able to stop or reverse the transaction. Most Irish banks have dedicated fraud helplines available 24/7.
Report it to An Garda Síochána. You can report fraud at your local Garda station or online. Even if you haven’t lost money, reporting helps the Gardaí track and disrupt scam operations.
Report phishing to the NCSC. Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre welcomes reports of phishing emails and scam websites. You can forward suspicious emails to [email protected].
Don’t blame yourself. Scammers are sophisticated. They target people of all ages and backgrounds. Falling for a scam doesn’t reflect on your intelligence. What matters is taking action quickly and reporting it so others can be warned.
Free Support and Resources in Ireland
Several organisations offer free digital skills training and online safety guidance specifically for older adults:
Age Action Ireland runs the Getting Started programme, which provides one-to-one technology training for older people across the country. Volunteers help with everything from setting up email to staying safe online.
Your local library is a brilliant and often overlooked resource. Many library branches across Ireland offer free digital literacy classes, and librarians can help you navigate online services safely.
ALONE provides a support line (0818 222 024) where older adults can get advice and referrals, including guidance on technology and staying connected safely.
The Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) runs the FraudSMART campaign with up-to-date information on the latest scams circulating in Ireland.
Confidence, Not Fear
The goal of online safety isn’t to make you afraid of the internet. Quite the opposite. When you know what to watch out for and have a few good habits in place, you can enjoy everything the digital world offers with confidence.
At Críonna Health, we believe that digital inclusion means safe digital inclusion. Staying connected, informed, and independent online is part of ageing well, and everyone deserves the support to do it securely.
If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it with a friend or family member. Sometimes the most important safety tool is a conversation.
