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New PayPal statistics show the scope of the scam challenge, with nearly everyone in the nation being targeted by some form of digital scam.
New research by online payment giant PayPal has shed light on the impact of scams on Australian consumers, and while there are glimmers of good news, there’s a lot to be worried about, too.
According to PayPal’s 2024 Online Generational Security Research, an incredible 97 per cent of Australians have been the target of some form of digital scam, making you wonder how those 3 per cent are avoiding the problem.
Scams have become such a problem that 87 per cent of Aussies no longer take calls from unknown numbers for fear of getting a call from scammers, while 20 per cent said that being scammed has taken a toll on their mental health. Some Australians have reported even missing a payment or bill, believing that a legitimate reminder was actually a scam.
However, Australians are doing their best to respond to the threat, with 81 per cent of those surveyed – a sample size of 1,000 Australians between the ages of 18 and 75, and weighted by age, gender, and location – saying they had helped someone they know avoid being scammed.
Fifty-six per cent had helped their parents, 40 per cent their friends, and 35 per cent had assisted children. Twenty per cent had even helped their co-workers avoid scams. In fact, 54 per cent of Australians rely on their social networks to stay updated on scams and online safety.
However, all this work takes time, with the average time spent providing this vital assistance adding up to 42 minutes every week – or 34 hours per year.
But despite this support, 57 per cent of respondents reported knowing someone who had lost money to scams.
“There is an evolutionary advantage to exchanging information about threats and potential harms, and it seems we are instinctively hardwired to help improve collective risk awareness across our networks,” Daniela Fernandez, PayPal’s head of information security, said in a statement.
“It’s touching that Australians are so willing to help their parents, family, and friends stay safe from scams and other online dangers. However, the best defence is for individuals to maintain personal cyber safety awareness and precautions, so we must help others help themselves going forward.”
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a scam, report it to www.scamwatch.gov.au.
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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