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‘New weapon of choice’: Australians report less scams – but lose more
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‘New weapon of choice’: Australians report less scams – but lose more

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Australians report less scams in 2025, but loses more money.
While the total number of scams in the first half of this year fell by 24 percent with the Scamwatch Service from the National Anti-Scam Center, reports relating to financial losses have increased considerably, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

It comes when Australians are encouraged to stay alert on “emerging” scam threats powered by artificial intelligence – from voice clones to deepfake videos.

The total reports are falling, but the financial losses are rising

Australians reported 108,305 scams and $ 174.8 million in financial losses to scamwatch in Scamwatch in the first half of this year, unveiled the ACCC on Monday, with fake websites, online advertisements and contact via social media that are the preferred methods of the scammers.
The total number of reports is a decrease of 24 percent compared to the same period last year.

However, the reported lost almost $ 175 million represents an increase of 26 percent.

There is also an increase of 40.5 percent in reports with losses that are higher with those who speak English as a second language (44 percent), together with First Nations Australians (55.3 percent).

On Monday, the ACCC said that the losses will still represent a 39 percent decrease in 2025 compared to the same period in 2023. Financial losses to scams peaked in 2022 and early 2023, said it.

Losses for phishing, stores scam in 2025

Losses so far for phishing -wamid this year amounted to $ 19.5 million. Phishing refers to attempts by scammers to mislead a person to give their personal information, such as bank account data or passwords.
These losses were partially powered by an increase in the scam of cryptocurrency imitation.
“Technology helps scammers reach more people than ever before, and we see scammers becoming more advanced and more difficult for people to detect,” said ACCC deputy chairman Catriona Lowe.
“Scams does not discriminate and can influence someone, and therefore open conversations with loved ones and greater consciousness are so important.

“Government, companies and individuals all play a role in building a scam community and reaching each group, including those who can make extra barriers to understanding or reporting scams.”

Scamwatch also received more than 6,300 reports of financial loss of stores in stores in the first half of the year. That type of scam had more reports of financial loss than all others.
Shipping turns can include scammers “creating convincing online shopping platforms, advertising treasure products and luring consumers with deals that seem too good to leave”.
“Scammers are increasingly focusing on people on websites and social media, knowing that we all spend more time and money online,” said Lowe.

“Just taking a few moments to verify a seller or offer can be the difference between a good deal and a devastating financial loss.”

AI-driven scams to pay attention

Banks are urging Australians to stay alert on “emerging” scam threats that are driven by AI.
Australian Banking Association (ABA) CEO Simon Birmingham said that AI, a “powerful tool” for banks and law enforcement to combat scam, has also become the “new weapon for scammers”.
“Unfortunately we live in a world where the progress in AI -noered video and audio make it possible for criminals to do celebrities, your friends, family members or even your bank,” he said.

“From fake investment advertisements from celebrities to voice clones that require help, AI -wang are more focused, refined and emotionally manipulative.”

The ABA warns Australians to be looking for scams with the help of speech cloning, deepfake videos or phishing-wamid generated by AI.
“Banks will continue to fight back by using AI to detect and close scams to protect people’s money, but the vigilance of the customer is still the best form of defense,” said Birmingham.
New data from ANZ showed a decrease of 15 percent in the losses of customers to scams between October and June.
The bank said on Monday that, although scam became more advanced, there was greater customer involvement in security functions and more awareness.

“Our customers are becoming increasingly aware of how they can protect themselves,” says Shaq Johnson, head of Australia and the customer protection of New Zealand.

Anz said that in the nine months to June it stopped for $ 100 million in scams and encouraged customers to “continue to build up their consciousness through available educational opportunities”.
Earlier in August, the Commonwealth Bank said that it prevailed for scammers, referring to a fall of 76 percent in the losses of customers to fraud since a peak in early 2023.
The bank said that in 2024 to 2025 it spent almost $ 1 billion on preventing scams, including the rollout of “two new defensive assets” to help protect customers.
In general, Lowe of the ACCC said, while it is painful to see so many people affected by scams, it is encouraging to know that Australians are “looking for, seeking help and sharing what they know”.
“This information helps us to continue to disrupt scam networks.”
– With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.

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