Can I get my money back after a scam in Ireland?
Sometimes — it depends on whether the payment was unauthorised or one you were tricked into making. If you're defrauded, contact your bank's 24/7 fraud line immediately to try to freeze the transaction, then report it to the Gardaí — a Garda report creates the record needed for any refund claim. For unauthorised transactions (you didn't authorise the payment), the Payment Services Regulations generally entitle you to a refund. But for authorised push payment (APP) scams — where you were tricked into sending the money — there's no mandatory reimbursement scheme in Ireland yet, so a refund is at the bank's discretion. If the bank mishandles your complaint, you can escalate free to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) after exhausting its internal process. In short: usually refunded if unauthorised; discretionary if you were tricked.
📋 The rules
- Call your bank's fraud line at once, then the Gardaí
- A Garda report supports a refund claim
- Unauthorised payments are generally refundable
- Tricked (APP) payments are at the bank's discretion
- Escalate to the FSPO after the bank's process
🔓 Exceptions
- The FSPO reviews the bank's conduct, not the fraud itself
- No mandatory APP reimbursement scheme in Ireland (as of mid-2026)
- New EU reimbursement rules are expected to phase in from late 2026
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Reporting a scam and complaining to the FSPO are free. The FSPO has a standard 6-year time limit (3 years from awareness for long-term products) and can direct a provider to pay compensation if your complaint is upheld — but it can only review whether the bank handled things properly, not investigate the fraudster. Unauthorised transactions carry a much stronger refund right than authorised ones you were socially engineered into making. A new EU regime intends to refund most victims within 5 business days once it applies (expected from late 2026). Beware a myth: "my bank must refund any scam if I report it to the Gardaí" is false — there's no mandatory APP reimbursement scheme in Ireland; a Garda report supports but doesn't force a refund, and for payments you authorised the refund is voluntary. To act: call your bank immediately, report to the Gardaí, and escalate to the FSPO if needed.
📎 Official sources
- An Garda Síochána — caught out by an online scam →
- FSPO — how to make a complaint →
- Citizens Information — complain about financial services →
❓ Frequently asked
What should I do first if I'm scammed?
Contact your bank's 24/7 fraud line immediately — the number is on the back of your card — to try to stop or freeze the transaction. Then report the scam to your local Garda station. A Garda report creates the official record you'll need to support any refund claim or complaint, so it's an important early step.
Will my bank refund me?
It depends. If the payment was unauthorised — meaning you didn't make or approve it — the Payment Services Regulations generally entitle you to a refund. But if you were tricked into authorising the payment yourself, an 'authorised push payment' scam, there's currently no legal obligation on Irish banks to refund you, so it's at their discretion.
Is there a mandatory refund scheme in Ireland?
Not yet. Unlike the UK, the Republic of Ireland currently has no mandatory authorised push payment reimbursement scheme. Banks may refund scam losses voluntarily but aren't legally required to for payments you authorised. New EU rules improving reimbursement are expected to phase in from late 2026 into 2027, but they don't apply as of mid-2026.
Can I complain if my bank refuses?
Yes. If you're unhappy with how your bank handled your scam complaint, you can escalate it free of charge to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, but only after you've gone through the bank's own complaints process and received its final response or waited the allowed period. The FSPO can direct the bank to pay compensation if it upholds your complaint.
What can the Ombudsman do?
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman can investigate whether your bank or financial provider handled the matter properly and, if it upholds your complaint, can direct them to pay compensation. It can't pursue the fraudster or investigate the crime itself — that's for the Gardaí. There's generally a six-year time limit to bring a complaint.
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