Targeting scams: Report of the National Anti-Scam Centre on scams data and activity 2024

This report provides insight into the scams targeting Australians in 2024 and highlights the impact of combined efforts by government, law enforcement, community sector and industry to combat these financial crimes.

This is the second Targeting Scams Report produced by the National Anti-Scam Centre since its establishment on 1 July 2023.

The National Anti-Scam Centre’s “Targeting Scams” report for 2024 indicates a significant decrease in reported scam losses and reports compared to the previous year. In 2024, Australians reported $2.03 billion in scam losses, a 25.9% decrease from 2023. The number of scam reports also decreased by 17.8%, with 494,732 reports in 2024 compared to 601,803 in 2023.

Key Findings:

• Reduced Losses: Reported scam losses fell by 25.9% to $2.03 billion.
• Fewer Reports: Scam reports decreased by 17.8% to 494,732.
• Top Scam Types by Loss (2024): Investment scams ($945 million), romance scams ($156.8 million), payment redirection scams ($152.6 million), remote access scams ($106 million), and phishing scams ($84.5 million).
• Collaborative Efforts: The report highlights the ongoing work of the National Anti-Scam Centre, the ACCC, and other agencies to disrupt scams.