72 results, showing 1 to 10
Australians reported a record $211 million in losses to scams so far this year, an 89 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to new data from Scamwatch.
![Investment scams thumbnail](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/type-of-scam-images/investment-scams-thumb.jpg?itok=hFNGNdK_)
Investment scams reported to Scamwatch have cost Australians over $70 million in the first half of this year, more than the total losses reported to Scamwatch for all of 2020, and projected losses are set to reach $140 million by the end of the year.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/1531-Scamwatch-Targeting-Scams-Report-THM_1.png?itok=zLnq7f6s)
Last year scammers stole close to $34 million collectively from people who identified as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability, and Indigenous Australians.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/Dating%20romance%20thm.jpg?itok=dpBm_VS0)
Australians reported a record-breaking $37 million lost to Scamwatch last year for dating and romance scams. Total losses are expected to be much higher and scammers are now using dating apps to lure victims into investment scams.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/merry%20christmas_0.jpg?itok=2ylIG5_p)
Losses to online shopping scams have increased 42 per cent this year, and Scamwatch is warning Australians to be careful when buying gifts this holiday season.
![a lady on a phone call looking concerned and hands on her forehead](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/type-of-scam-images/identity-theft2-thumb.jpg?itok=GcPpYtAJ)
Australians have lost over $300,000 to rental and accommodation scams this year, an increase of 76 per cent compared to the same time last year.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/Scams_Awareness_Week_360x272.png?itok=JRviIdyH)
The ACCC has launched a podcast series for this year’s National Scams Awareness Week to provide Australians with tips on how to protect their personal and financial details from scammers.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/1531-Scamwatch-Targeting-Scams-Report-THM_1.png?itok=zLnq7f6s)
Data from the ACCC’s annual Targeting Scams report, released this week, indicates scammers don’t discriminate and are targeting a range of different communities in Australia.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/1531-Scamwatch-Targeting-Scams-Report-THM_1.png?itok=zLnq7f6s)
Australians lost over $634 million to scams in 2019, according to the latest figures in the ACCC’s Targeting Scams report released today.
![Dog](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/2020-05/dog.jpg?itok=OGfEDj_8)
Australians have lost nearly $300,000 to puppy scams this year, and scammers have been particularly targeting those seeking a furry companion during social isolation.