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Sales season is just around the corner, and scam costs are on the rise, as fewer and fewer consumers report incidents to Scamwatch.
With the end of the year in sight, Australia’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) has reported a pair of alarming statistics that show scammers are continuing to prey on Aussie consumers, who may well be feeling overwhelmed by the malicious activity.
Aussies reported $259.5 million in losses in the first three quarters of 2025 alone, a year-over-year increase of 16 per cent.
However alarming that figure is, perhaps more alarming is a drop in the number of scams being reported. NASC’s Scamwatch service has fielded only 159,319 reports so far this year, a 20 per cent drop compared to the same period in 2024.
And with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales not far away, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, said shopping scams are on the rise.
“Scammers love Black Friday sales too because they know shoppers are looking for bargains and they rely on creating urgency and pressure that can come with a busy shopping period,” Lowe said in an 18 November statement.
“We remind consumers to take their time, check the legitimacy of websites and [their] offers, and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information online. A few simple checks before making a purchase can make all the difference in avoiding a scam and keeping your money safe.”
Scammers are increasingly employing a wide variety of tactics, from various forms of online content, such as fake websites or mobile apps, to compromising social media accounts to reach a wide audience.
“We continue to urge Australians to verify who they are communicating with online, as scammers leverage trusted relationships and social platforms to manipulate people into handing over money and personal information,” Lowe said.
“You should be aware that online friend accounts can be compromised, so avoid clicking on any links and always do your own checks before paying money. A good way to check is to contact them through another means, such as by phone or text message. This can also alert your friend so they can take prompt action to recover their account.”
Scam losses are also rising among vulnerable communities. Over this period, there’s been a 12 per cent rise in scams impacting individuals living with a disability, a 25 per cent increase in scams reported by non-native English speakers, and a 50 per cent rise in scams involving First Nations individuals.
“We strongly encourage people to check in with their loved ones and start the conversation about scams. Scammers are criminals who target anyone,” Lowe said.
“Starting an honest conversation about scams can take away the fear and embarrassment that often stop people from speaking up. Listening with compassion and without judgement helps them feel supported and understood.”
“We’re grateful to everyone who reports scams to Scamwatch, even if they haven’t lost money. Each report helps us build a clearer picture of scam activity and strengthens our work with other organisations to disrupt these criminal networks.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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