OLDER Australians are facing a digital landscape that feels more confusing, more deceptive and more emotionally draining than ever before, with a new national report revealing just how deeply scams and misinformation are eroding trust, confidence and peace of mind.
The Australian Seniors Scams Report 2025 paints a confronting picture.
More than four in five Australians aged over 50 have encountered or fallen victim to a scam, while a similar proportion say it has become harder to trust news and online information compared to just a year or two ago.
For many seniors, the sense that “you can’t believe what you see anymore” is no longer a passing concern – it is shaping everyday behaviour.
Nearly three quarters of older Australians admit they sometimes assume online content is genuine without checking it, and only a small minority consistently verify information before believing or sharing it. That gap between awareness and action is becoming fertile ground for increasingly sophisticated scams.
Scam exposure itself remains relentless. Almost two-thirds of older Australians believe they were targeted in the past year alone, most commonly through phone calls, emails and text messages.
Delivery scams, fake overdue payment notices and impersonation attempts continue to dominate, exploiting trust in everyday services.
Worryingly, one in four seniors report encountering scams that use artificial intelligence, including highly convincing phishing emails and financial deceptions.
The financial consequences can be devastating. While many losses are under $1000, a small but deeply concerning number of seniors report losing more than $50,000.
Even then, not all victims report what has happened, often due to embarrassment, uncertainty or fear of being judged.
For those who do speak up, banks remain the first point of contact, followed by Scamwatch and police.
Artificial intelligence is accelerating the problem.
Many older Australians admit they have already been fooled by AI-generated images, videos or articles, while others are unsure if they have been deceived at all.
The technology has become so convincing that more than half believe most AI-generated content is difficult to detect, particularly fake images of people or altered photographs.
Perhaps most troubling is how many seniors feel left behind by this rapid technological shift.
The vast majority say they do not feel confident understanding AI risks, especially when it comes to voice scams.
Telling the difference between a real person and an AI-generated voice during a phone call is now a genuine concern – and not an unfounded one.
Beyond the statistics lies a heavy emotional toll.
Most older Australians say scams now cause ongoing worry, with many feeling less safe and more guarded online.
While banks and government websites remain trusted sources of information, a significant number of seniors are not seeking scam-prevention advice at all, highlighting a growing need for clear, accessible education.
