Scams and identity theft

Scammers want to steal your identity for financial gain

Scams overall

5 YEARS 94% 2018 vs 2014

10 YEARS 764% 2018 vs 2009

SCAMMERS GAIN ACCESS TO YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION BY:

Breaking into your mailbox	Phishing emails and text messages	Fake online quizzes, surveys and job advertisements
Fake online stores	Hacking your email and other online accounts	Social media requests from people you don’t know

SCAMMERS WILL USE YOUR INFORMATION TO:

Purchase expensive goods in your name	Drain your bank account	Open bank accounts and take out loans
Take out phone and other contracts	Transfer your superannuation	Contact your friends on social media to impersonate you

STATISTICS		100% of scams have the potential for identity theft
Losses: $1.4 million	Reports: 12 800

Top three scams by reported losses for age ranges

Source: Adapted from Targeting scams: Report of the ACCC on scams activity 2019. [PDF]
 

Linked activities:

• Scams and identity theft (AC v9.0)
• Scams and identity theft (AC v8.4)