Scams awareness & experience 2010
Summary
Research carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of the National Consumer Agency has established a high incidence of scams among Irish consumers.Publication details
- Publication date:10 March 2010
- Industry:Financial and insurance services - L
Documents
Research report scams awareness 2011PDF | 7234 KBResearch report scams awareness 2011 PDF | 7234 KB - Opens in new window
The findings
- 76% of consumers, or a family member, have been targeted by a scam.
- 18% reported losing money or valuable personal information as a result of a scam.
Premium‑rate phone prize schemes and bogus callers or tradespeople accounted for the highest number of victims. The research also found that consumers were most aware of chain letters, foreign lotteries and pyramid selling schemes.
The survey asked over 1,000 adults, representing a national population of approximately 3.5 million, about their awareness and experience of scams. Other findings included:
- 93% of Irish consumers said they are aware of scams.
- Men and younger adults were more likely to report attempting to participate in scams, while women, older respondents and working‑class adults were more likely to report falling victim.
- Internet‑related scams were more common among men, middle‑class consumers and those living in Dublin, reflecting patterns of online and working‑population use.
