Australians face scam risk during major life events

TrendLife has published research on when Australians are most likely to be scammed, finding elevated risk during major purchases, job hunting and tax-related processes.

The study drew on responses from more than 10,000 consumers across nine markets, including just over 1,000 in Australia, and identified a pattern of scam exposure during stressful or unfamiliar transactions.

Among Australian respondents, 20% said they had been scammed, or knew someone close to them who had been scammed, while making a major purchase or investment such as a car or property. That was followed by job interview processes at 18%, applying for government benefits or income tax support at 17%, moving to a new address at 15%, and both starting a new job and buying or selling a house at 13%.

The findings suggest pressure around important decisions can create openings for fraud. Many respondents said they were managing these moments online, where personal data is often shared quickly and with limited checks.

Close to two in five Australians, or 38%, said they used AI tools to support major life events. Almost half, or 49%, said they shared personal information as part of these processes.

TrendLife found younger adults were especially exposed, despite assumptions that older people face the greatest digital risks. Australians aged 18 to 34 were more likely than older groups to encounter scams during these high-stakes moments.

Younger habits

The survey found people aged 18 to 24 were less likely to take several basic precautions before handing over information online. Only 8% said they verified whether an organisation was legitimate, compared with 22% across all respondents.

Just 4% said they used an identity protection service, compared with 11% overall. Only 17% said they enabled or updated privacy and security settings, versus 29% overall, while 33% said they used up-to-date security software, against 44% overall.

The same age group also lagged on network safety, with 33% saying they avoided public Wi-Fi networks, compared with 45% overall. The figures suggest digital familiarity does not always translate into more cautious online behaviour.

Older age groups showed weaknesses too. Australians over 65 were the least likely to check website URLs carefully or use secure websites, at 27% compared with 40% overall, while those aged 55 to 64 were the least likely to monitor bank or online accounts for suspicious activity, at 33% against 44% overall.

Across the broader sample, 28% said they did not use security or antivirus software on a personal computer. A larger 59% said they did not use this protection on a personal mobile device.

AI concerns

The survey also examined how Australians are responding to AI tools as they become part of financial, employment and personal decisions. While adoption is rising, confidence in spotting AI-related deception remains limited.

Some 21% said they were not confident they could identify an AI-generated scam, while 22% said they were very or extremely confident. On privacy, 32% said they were either unaware of the risks of sharing personal information with AI tools or unsure of the details.

Even so, concern was high. The study found 44% were very or extremely concerned about the safety of information shared with AI tools, above the global average of 38%, and 50% were very or extremely concerned that someone could misuse information shared with such tools, above the global average of 44%.

Despite those concerns, only 35% said they declined permission for their information to be used to train AI models. That gap between concern and action was one of the more striking findings in the Australian data.

Lynette Owens, Vice President of Consumer Education & Marketing at TrendLife, said the timing and context of scams made them harder to detect.

"Major life moments like job interviews or buying a house often involve big decisions and unfamiliar parties. That's exactly what scammers exploit. These attacks feel more convincing because they're tied to real events in people's lives, when they are already sharing sensitive information," Owens said.

She said the shift of many life events to digital channels had increased the importance of basic checks and slower decision-making.

"As more of these life moments move online, digital literacy becomes critical. Australians need to know how to verify who they are dealing with, be wary of messages designed to create urgency, and slow down before acting," Owens said.

The report also linked AI use to a broader shift in how people manage important decisions, from seeking advice to filling in forms and comparing options. This has created another area where personal and financial information may be exposed.

Owens said consumers needed to think carefully about what they disclose to AI systems, especially when decisions involve identity or money.

"AI is quickly becoming part of how Australians make decisions and manage important life moments, but it isn't risk-free. Consumers need to be careful about the personal information they share with AI tools, particularly when it relates to finances or their identity. AI can be incredibly useful, but Australians should consider where their information is going and when to seek a trusted source before acting on AI-generated advice," Owens said.