INFOGRAPHIC
Australians suffer record year for scams
Australians lost a record AU $ 323.7 million to all types of scams in 2021 according to figures from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ’ s ( ACCC ) Scamwatch .
This represents a significant increase of 84 % compared to 2020 when Australians lost AU $ 175.6 million . There
The 84 % increase in losses to scams in 2021 is significant and is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding the true impact on Australians . were 286,608 reports made to Scamwatch in 2021 , up from 216,086 the previous year .
December recorded the greatest monthly losses with AU $ 43.2 million , while August had the highest number of scams reported with 40,874 . New South Wales residents lost the most to scams across the year , reporting AU $ 110 million in losses , followed by Victorians with AU $ 74 million , which also reported the most scams with 92,117 and Victorians with 74,597 respectively .
Crispin Kerr , ANZ Vice President at cybersecurity company Proofpoint , said : “ The data from the ACCC ’ s Scamwatch paints an unfortunate picture of just how effective scammers were at taking advantage of Australians over the last 12 months . The 84 % increase in losses to scams in 2021 is significant and is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding the
28 INTELLIGENTCIO APAC www . intelligentcio . com