By the first half of 2025, Australians had lost an estimated $1,103,534,108 through a total of 108,305 scams reported through Scamwatch. That figure represents an impressive 24 percent decrease from the first quarter of 2024. Over the past few months, the total amount of scams reported has dropped. The cost has exploded, with Australians losing almost $175 million to scammers. This figure represents a 26 percent increase in reported losses from last year, a concerning trend.
What’s most concerning is the increase in financial losses — the number of reports with financial losses has increased by a staggering 40.5 percent. Disadvantaged communities have borne the brunt of these effects. Of those who lost money, First Nations Australians reported an increase of an astonishing 55.3 percent, with those who reported English as a second language reporting a 44 percent increase in financial loss.
Phishing scams have become a widespread threat. During the first half of 2025, these types of scams accounted for $19.5 million in reported losses. In addition, Scamwatch reported over 6,300 reports about shopping scams, showing that it’s crucial to stay very alert with how you spend those dollars right now.
Our profession’s leading experts have been sounding the alarm about how scammers are using more sophisticated tactics to dupe victims. Catriona Lowe, Deputy Chief Executive of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), remarked on the evolving tactics used by scammers.
“Technology is helping scammers reach more people than ever before, and we see scams becoming more sophisticated and harder for people to detect,” – Catriona Lowe
The National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service saw record gains in 2025. Its data indicate that total lost scam dollars are down 39 percent over the same time in 2023. This statistic hasn’t been the full story. Consumers are still dealing with persistent hurdles, particularly after financial losses were at their height in 2022 and early 2023.
He stressed the importance of consumer education and awareness in the ongoing war against fraud.
“Our customers are becoming increasingly aware of how to protect themselves,” – Shaq Johnson
In response to the rising threat of scams, ANZ bank invested nearly $1 billion during 2024 and 2025 on preventive measures. The bank launched two other, more defensive assets, focused on increasing protection for customers.
Fraudsters commonly use counterfeit websites, online ads, and social media engagement to target victims. Lowe stated the importance of consumers understanding the need to be active participants when using the internet.
“Taking just a few moments to verify a seller or offer can be the difference between a good deal and a devastating financial loss,” – Catriona Lowe
Experts have been raising the alarm about the ways in which criminals are misusing artificial intelligence to build more convincing scams. Simon Birmingham pointed out that AI-generated video and audio makes it easy to impersonate a figure that the public trusts.
“Unfortunately, we live in a world where advances in AI‑generated video and audio make it possible for criminals to impersonate celebrities, your friends, family members or even your bank,” – Simon Birmingham
He noted that banks are using AI tools to identify and shut down scams in record time. He emphasized that customer caution and scrutiny is still key.
“Banks will continue to fight back by using AI to detect and shut down scams so as to protect people’s money; however, customer vigilance is still the best form of defence,” – Simon Birmingham
Even with fewer reports of scams, the rise in consumer losses indicates that consumers need to be on their guard more than ever. To combat an ever-evolving world of scams, Lowe highlighted the need for frank discussions about scams in communities.
“Scams don’t discriminate and can affect anyone, which is why open conversations with loved ones and greater awareness are so important,” – Catriona Lowe
These stats tell a troubling story. One in which technology both threatens and uplifts workers’ rights. Government bodies, businesses, and individuals are called upon to foster a scam-aware community that reaches all demographics, particularly those facing additional barriers to understanding or reporting scams.
