As scam tactics increasingly target users on their smartphones, financial institutions are responding with more proactive, device-level protections. One standout initiative is PTSB Protect , a feature built into the PTSB banking app that filters incoming texts and website links for fraud in real time on the customer’s device.
The feature, introduced in 2023 , is believed to be the first of its kind globally. It alerts users when a text contains a fraudulent link or blocks access to scam websites. These are checked against a blocklist maintained and updated daily, enabling the app to catch phishing attempts, impersonation links and scam phone numbers at the point of delivery.
A Platform-Specific Approach
PTSB Protect is implemented differently across Android and iOS to reflect platform-level capabilities.
On Android, the app uses accessibility services to scan incoming SMS messages in real time. If a suspicious message is detected, users receive a pop-up warning, and the message thread is marked in red to indicate risk. Detection includes flagged URLs, phone numbers and common scam-related phrases.
On iOS, the feature operates through Safari by enabling a content blocker that prevents users from accessing known fraudulent websites. The app is also designed to support message-level protection where possible, helping identify risks earlier in the communication flow.
This platform-specific approach ensures scam detection happens seamlessly, without disrupting how users interact with their devices.
Privacy by Design
PTSB Protect was developed with a strong focus on privacy. All scanning takes place locally on the customer’s device. No personal data, message content or browsing history is shared with the bank. Even while the app inspects messages and web activity, it does not access or store message content .
Because the feature requires certain device permissions such as accessibility access on Android or content blocker activation on iOS, it is offered as an opt-in service. This gives users full control over activation and usage while aligning with mobile security standards.
Lessons for Other Banks
According to research cited by the bank , 75 percent of Irish consumers have experienced an attempted fraud, and 27 percent have fallen victim.
PTSB Protect offers a practical model for mobile-first scam detection across platforms. Instead of reacting to fraudulent activity after it occurs, the app intercepts threats as soon as they are received or accessed.
What began as an internal innovation initiative has become a widely recognised example of in-app scam filtering done right. With careful platform integration, local data protection and a preventative mindset, PTSB has shown how financial institutions can help users avoid fraud without adding complexity to their digital experience.
About the Author
James Greening , operating under a pseudonym, brings a wealth of experience to his role. Formerly the sole driving force behind Fake Website Buster, James leverages his expertise to raise awareness about online scams. He currently serves as a Content Marketing & Design Specialist for the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA).
James’s mission aligns with GASA’s mission to protect consumers worldwide from scams. He is committed to empowering professionals with the insights necessary to detect and mitigate online scams, ensuring the security and integrity of their operations and digital ecosystems.
Brazil’s BC Protege+ Blocks Fake Bank Accounts Before They Can Be Opened
Brazil’s Central Bank launched BC Protege+, allowing individuals and businesses to block bank account openings in their name. With over 1 million activations, the tool offers a structural model for reducing identity-based fraud.
-1.jpeg)
From Vienna to Global Action: Key Takeaways from the UN Global Fraud Summit
Explore key insights from our participation at the UNODC's Global Fraud Summit in Vienna. Discover how AI is changing the scam landscape, the power of national anti-scam centres, and the introduction of the Public-Private Partnership Framework to protect communities from fraud.
League of Protectors: Women Fighting Against Scams
Explore key insights from our International Women’s Month webinar on combating scams. Discover how women leaders are driving cross-border collaboration, digital literacy, and collective action to protect communities from fraud.
The Real Gap in Fraud Defense Is Strategy, Not AI
Fraud losses keep rising despite advances in AI detection. The real challenge is fragmented strategy across banks, platforms, telcos and governments. Effective scam prevention requires coordination, shared signals and earlier intervention.
New Executive Order on Cybercrime and Fraud Marks a More Coordinated U.S. Response
A U.S. Executive Order targets cybercrime, scams, and global fraud networks with a more coordinated government response.
Global Anti-Scam Alliance Launches Scam.org with OpenAI and Key Partners
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) launched today Scam.org, an AI-powered platform that provides scam education, prevention, detection, reporting, and victim support.
La Industrialización del Engaño: Por qué 2026 será el año en que las estafas cibernéticas cambien para siempre
El auge de la inteligencia artificial está eliminando las señales tradicionales de alerta y transformando las estafas en un sistema industrial a gran escala.
.jpg)
The Industrialization of Deception: Why 2026 Will Be the Year Cyber Scams Change Forever
The rise of artificial intelligence is eliminating traditional warning signs and transforming scams into a large-scale industrial system.