Irish Black Friday spending rises 6.5% as Visa blocks surge in fraud attempts.
Irish consumers spent 6.5% more on Black Friday this year compared with 2024, according to Visa, marking the fourth-highest growth rate across Europe.
The figures underline the continued strength of the shopping event in Ireland, even as retailers brace for the peak holiday season.
Visa also reported a sharp increase in fraud prevention activity. The payments company said it blocked 57% more suspected fraudulent transactions in Ireland than during last year’s Black Friday period, as cybercriminals sought to exploit the surge in online and in-store purchases.
Stopping the scams
“Black Friday continues to be one of the busiest periods for retailers in Ireland, and this year is no different,” said Conor Langford, Visa’s Ireland country manager.
“While consumers were securing the best deals, Visa was working behind the scenes to prevent fraud before it happened. Whether the transaction is big or small, Visa is committed to helping consumers shop with confidence throughout the year.”
Visa warned that the festive season remains a prime target for scams, citing tactics such as fake shopping websites, package delivery fraud, bogus job offers promising “extra holiday cash”, travel scams and fraudulent charity appeals. The company’s Holiday Threats report outlines these risks in detail.
The payments group has invested $12 billion in technology and infrastructure over the past five years, including cybersecurity and fraud prevention systems.
Its Scam Disruption team has intercepted more than €220 million in attempted scams across Europe in the past year, and over $1 billion globally, before they could affect consumers.
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