Targeting scams

This report explains key trends in scam activity and highlights the impact of scams on the community.

It highlights some of the cooperative work of the ACCC, other regulators and law enforcement agencies, and private sector to disrupt scams and educate consumers.

Published April 2023.

This document should be read in conjunction with the Targeting Scams Report 2022. 

It contains detailed scam statistics per scam type per state and territory for 2022.

Published April 2023.

Targeting scams report infographic 2022 (image file download)

Reports

• 239,237 reports to Scamwatch (a 16.5% decrease from 268, 622 reports in 2021)

Losses

• $3+ billion: 2022 combined financial losses reported to Scamwatch, ReportCyber, IDCARE, Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX) and government agencies.
• $569 million: Amount reported to Scamwatch (a 76% increase from $324 million in 2021)
• $19,654: Average loss (a 224% increase from 2020)

Top scams by loss as reported to Scamwatch

• $377 million: Investment scams
• $40 million: Dating & romance scams
• $24 million: False billing
• $24 million: Phishing
• $21 million: Remote access scams
• $13 million: Threats to life, arrest or other
• $10 million: Identity theft
• $9 million: Jobs & employment scams
• $9 million: Online shopping scams
• $8 million: Classified scams

Age

• Of those over 18 years old, losses are primarily reported by people aged 65 and over (26.4%), while people aged 18-24 reported the lowest number of losses (3.4%).
• Of those over 18 years old, reports are primarily reported by people aged 65 and over (25.5%), while people aged 18-24 reported the lowest number of reports (5.6%).

Top contact methods by reports

• 33% of people were contacted by scammers via a text message, with 29% of people being contacted via phone.