Wrong direction: Australians robbed of $2.2 billion in 2025 by scam-crime
More than $10 billion has been stolen in scams from Australians since 2020 -a deeply troubling statistic as victims continue to carry 95% of the losses, and 30% or more of victims don’t report their losses.
“Despite laws passing over a year ago, and pages of initiatives and awareness raising outlined in the Targeting Scams report, scams losses haven’t plateaued – they’re headed in the wrong direction,” Ms Tonkin said.
“This report is the clearest signal to Government that far greater industry investment in prevention and disruption is the only path to reducing the $billion losses. From this point, any system that bakes in the status quo on scams is totally unacceptable and will not work,” she said.
Hundreds of thousands of people robbed, some losing life-changing amounts, and still Australia’s much lauded ‘world beating’ Scam Prevention Framework (SPF), passed by Federal Parliament in February of 2025 remains in the doldrums, gathering dust.
That’s the stark picture consumer advocates say is presented by the Targeting Scams report (link) released today from the National Anti-Scam Centre, which reveals a staggering $2.18 billion stolen in scams for 2025, a 7.8% increase from the year before.
“These statistics reveal the appalling burden of scam-crime brought to bear last year on Australian families already hit hard by rising costs of living. And the harms we hear about are damaging well beyond the financial impacts” said Stephanie Tonkin, CEO, Consumer Action Law Centre.
More than $2.2 billion was stolen by scammers last year – and still victims have no simple pathway available for compensation or justice.
Ms Tonkin said Consumer Action and her sector colleagues remain committed to working with the government, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), the National Anti-Scam Centre and all stakeholders to strengthen industry obligations through rules and codes and to ensure there are straightforward remedies available.
Ms Tonkin cautioned, however, that the price of delay can’t be a compromised or watered-down system.
“We need our Team Australia moment, where all industries put victims at the centre of the system, with robust prevention obligations and fair, fast and straightforward access to compensation. We are collectively up against industrialised, highly resourced criminals that are innovating much faster than we protect Australians. Only a united front will shift the dial on the deepening scams crisis”.
“I am calling on Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino to urgently pull industry into line through effective dispute resolution and to finish the codes to the highest bar, to turn around this nightmare for Australians.”
Quote attributable to Drew MacRae, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, Financial Rights Legal Centre
“This report shows Australians desperately need government and industry to act on the scams crisis – a crisis that continues unabated while everyone get their ducks in a row to do something about it. Banks, telcos and digital platforms should not be waiting to act on the scams threat nor should they be waiting to shift the burden away from scam victims who at the lowest point of the lives are expected to do all the fighting to get their money back.”
Quote attributable to Dr Domenique Meyrick, CEO of Financial Counselling Australia
“This report shows how important it is for robust laws, regulations and dispute resolution processes that are consumer focussed so we can stop innocent people being ripped off.”
Quote attributable to Roberta Grealish, Principal Solicitor, Consumer Credit Legal Service
“The report reflects the sad reality we see everyday of our telephone advice line. Scams remain one of the most prevalent issues on our front line and we are seeing them increasing contribute to the financial hardship of consumers already doing it tough. No one can afford these losses, and everyone remains vulnerable while the Scams Prevention Framework sits incomplete, without the codes needed to support its implementation. It must be actioned without further delay.”
Quote attributable to Andy Kelly, Director – Campaigns and Communications, CHOICE
“The latest data shows that scammers are increasingly shifting from phone calls and text messages to online contact methods to target victims. In fact, losses from online scams increased by 21.8% last year. The Government cannot justify glaring holes in its proposed digital platform designation, which won’t capture email service providers, dating apps and online marketplaces.”
Quote attributable to Carol Bennett, CEO Australian Consumer Communications Action Network
“As Australians lose billions each year, we are still waiting for industry Codes to be finalised. We cannot wait any longer – the government must put effective Codes in place to turn around these disastrous figures.”
Quote attributable to Xavier O’Halloran, CEO of Super Consumers Australia
Super Consumers Australia is deeply concerned that people over 65 years old continue to report the highest overall losses compared to other age groups, highlighting the significant risk scams pose to older people’s retirement savings. We support the sector’s call for urgent resolution of the SPF rollout and for superannuation be added to the framework.
ENDS
Media contact: Mark Pearce mark@consumeraction.org.au Tel: 0413 299 567
