Did you know that last year Australian’s lost over 2 billion to online scams? From SMS scams to data breaches, cybercriminals continue to expand their arsenal to exploit consumers. But how prepared are consumers to detect these scams? We recently surveyed 1072 Australians aged 18 – 65+, with the research revealing numerous common misconceptions that make people more vulnerable to scams. Read on to see what the misconceptions are plus some tips on how you can stay safe online. 

Overconfidence in scam detection 

• Believe it or not, 31% of Australian consumers think that they can only fall victim to online scams if they overshare personal information online. But with the rise of data breaches, consumers are at risk of cybercriminals obtaining their personal data through many other avenues. Once cybercriminals have obtained personal data, they can conduct a variety of crimes including scams, fraud, or identity theft. 

• 47% of respondents believe scams can be easily identified by spotting grammar or spelling errors in messages or emails. While that used to be an easy way to spot scams, cybercriminals now use generative AI tools to create convincing messages that contain none of these signs.  

• Almost a third (32%) agree that they can only be extorted if they share explicit photos or videos online. The data shows otherwise, these consumers underestimate the depth of manipulation used by scammers. 

Vulnerability to scams 

According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) consumers lost over $1 trillion to scams in the past year. Despite this, only 15% of respondents confirmed that they have discussed with family or friends what to do if they are ever targeted by criminals with romance or investment scams. What’s more, only 9% use a secret word or phrase to verify real family and friends in case of impersonation scams – a simple tactic effective against scammers.  

Increase in scams 

A quarter of Australian respondents reported having been targeted by investment scams, as opposed to romance scams (11%) or sextortion scams (6%). While most consumers (78%) reject the idea that victims of scams are primarily older, less tech-savvy adults, a majority (54%) agree to some extent that older individuals are more frequently targeted by romance scams. 

Staying safe online

• Be wary of unsolicited emails, messages, or calls
• Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments, and be cautious about sharing personal information.
• If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a message or request, contact the sender directly through official channels to confirm.

• Create strong, unique passwords: Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 
• Change your passwords regularly: Trend Micro recommends changing passwords at least every three months. 
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts. 
• Use Trend Micro ScamCheck which offers comprehensive protection from deceptive phishing scams, scam and spam text messages, deepfakes, and more