Login
iscover
Share this article on:
Powered by
MOMENTUM
MEDIA
Powered by MOMENTUMMEDIA
Women in NSW aged between 45 and 54 are the most vulnerable demographic, while social media is the most popular platform for scammers.
An analysis of 2024 Scamwatch data has revealed the cohorts most likely to fall victim to retail scams and the platforms most commonly used to host such scams.
Women aged between 45 and 54 in the state of NSW are most likely to fall victim to retail scams, losing on average $1,034 to each incident.
Men in the same age bracket are losing the most money, while Australians over 65 are losing less per scam, bucking the trend that older Australians are more prone to scams.
The research, compiled by shipping and logistics firm PACK & SEND, also found that scammers vastly prefer to propagate their scams via social media and online forums. Of retail scams, 26.8 per cent are hosted on these platforms, with email and websites following at 23.8 per cent and 22.9 per cent, respectively.
“Scammers don’t discriminate as the data shows that younger men and women are just as susceptible as seniors to retail scams. Social media and online marketplaces have overtaken traditional mediums like email and phone calls as scammers’ preferred hunting grounds,” Nicholas Woodward, country manager of PACK & SEND, said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, at PACK & SEND, we’ve seen scammers impersonate our business on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. That’s why it’s crucial to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect yourself.”
What to do if you’re a victim of a scam
Report it to the police.
Report it to Scamwatch to help others avoid similar scams.
Stop all communication with the scammer.
Situations such as this can be upsetting. If you, or someone you know, needs help, we encourage you to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. They provide 24/7 support services.
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.
Be the first to hear the latest developments in the cyber industry.
