ALERT: Scammers target former RTÉ star in latest wave of fraud calls to hit Ireland

Ex-RTÉ presenter Joanna Donnelly targeted by fake bank call as others share scam horror stories

Former RTÉ weather presenter Joanna Donnelly has urged the Irish public to stay vigilant after receiving a phone call from scammers pretending to be her bank's fraud team.

Taking to social media, the broadcaster revealed she was targeted by a caller claiming to be from AIB, who tried to convince her to share personal information.

In a post on X, Joanna wrote: "Got a call from (01)9124562 purporting to be AIB #fraud dept. Asked to confirm my identity. I never do unless I know what it's in connection with. They said there had been activity on my internet acc. Suspicious I said I'd check it out myself. They hung up."

The incident sparked a wave of replies from people who said they've experienced similar scams, many of which sound increasingly convincing.

One person replied: "Got a call yesterday (voice recording) supposedly from Revolut saying that my a/c was being charged €79. Before that I had a couple of calls from Belgium… don't know anyone who lives in Belgium."

Another wrote: "Exactly right. Even when I know I'm being contacted by my bank if someone I don't already know calls me I call them back through the phone system I already have numbers for. The scams are getting too sophisticated to make any assumptions."

A third user shared how they intercepted a scam call on a family member's phone: "Answered a call on my Ma's phone to that number today. I blocked it as soon as I heard 'AIB fraud'. My mother doesn't Bank with AIB."

And one person highlighted how fraudsters often sound very credible at first.

"My wife had the same call about a month ago, sounded very convincing at first until they asked for bank details, my wife said that they should know her bank details and the call ended."

Financial experts have repeatedly urged consumers to be cautious of calls or texts asking for personal details, warning that legitimate banks will never pressure customers to share sensitive information over the phone or via links in messages.

A recent report from the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland revealed that more than 70% of people in Ireland now receive scam communications every month, with mobile phones being the primary target. Many consumers also reported that scams are becoming more frequent and sophisticated.