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Online scams targeting Australians over 60 are at an all time high. In 2025 Australians lost over $3 billion to scams and older Australians were the most targeted demographic of all. The scammers are sophisticated, patient, and convincing — but they all follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for you become almost impossible to fool. This guide covers the most common scams targeting Australians over 60 right now and exactly how to spot them before it’s too late.
Why Older Australians Are Targeted
Scammers target older Australians for specific reasons. Retirees often have significant savings, own their homes, and may be less familiar with digital technology. They are also more likely to be home during the day to answer calls and emails. Understanding this is not about blame — it’s about awareness. The most educated and intelligent people get scammed every day because modern scams are professionally designed to deceive.
1. The Investment Scam
This is currently the highest earning scam in Australia. A convincing website, a professional looking social media profile, or even a Facebook ad promotes an investment opportunity promising unusually high returns. Victims are encouraged to invest small amounts first, see fake profits in their account, invest larger amounts, then find they cannot withdraw their money.
Warning signs:
- Promises of guaranteed high returns
- Pressure to invest quickly before the opportunity closes
- Requests to pay via cryptocurrency or bank transfer
- No Australian Financial Services licence number
- Contact initiated by them not you
2. The Romance Scam
Romance scams are devastating financially and emotionally. A scammer creates a fake profile on a dating site or Facebook, builds a genuine relationship over weeks or months, then introduces a financial crisis requiring urgent money. By the time money is requested the victim has developed real feelings making it extremely difficult to see clearly.
Warning signs:
- Person claims to be overseas — often military, doctor, or engineer on a project
- Relationship moves very fast emotionally
- Always has an excuse not to video call
- Eventually asks for money for an emergency
- Stories become increasingly elaborate over time
3. The Grandparent Scam
A caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble — arrested, hospitalised, or stranded overseas — and urgently needs money. They beg the grandparent not to tell their parents. A second person then comes on the line pretending to be a lawyer or police officer to make it more convincing.
Warning signs:
- Urgent call from a grandchild in trouble
- Asks you to keep it secret from their parents
- Requests cash, gift cards, or wire transfer
- Story changes if you ask specific questions
What to do: Hang up and call your grandchild directly on their known number to verify.
4. The Government Impersonation Scam
Scammers pretend to be from the ATO, Medicare, Centrelink, or the Australian Federal Police. They claim you owe money, your Medicare number has been compromised, or there is a warrant for your arrest. They create panic and urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly.
Warning signs:
- Unexpected call or email from a government agency
- Threatens arrest, fines, or account suspension
- Asks for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Asks for your Medicare, tax file, or bank account number
The reality: The ATO and government agencies never demand immediate payment by phone or threaten immediate arrest.
5. The Tech Support Scam
A popup appears on your computer warning that your device has been infected with a virus. A phone number is displayed to call for help. The person who answers convinces you to give them remote access to your computer. They then either steal your banking details, install actual malware, or charge you hundreds of dollars to fix a problem that never existed.
Warning signs:
- Unexpected popup with a warning and phone number
- Caller asks to remotely access your computer
- Requests payment to fix the problem
- Claims to be from Microsoft, Apple, or Telstra
What to do: Close the popup, restart your computer, and call a trusted local technician if concerned.
6. The Phishing Email or Text
An email or text message appears to come from a trusted organisation — your bank, Australia Post, MyGov, or Netflix. It asks you to click a link and enter your login details or payment information. The website looks identical to the real one but is fake.
Warning signs:
- Unexpected request to verify your account
- Sense of urgency — act now or your account will be closed
- Email address doesn’t match the organisation exactly
- Link URL looks slightly wrong when you hover over it
- Poor spelling or grammar in some cases
What to do: Never click links in emails or texts. Go directly to the website by typing the address yourself.
7. The Lottery and Prize Scam
You receive an email, letter, or phone call telling you that you have won a prize or lottery you never entered. To claim your prize you need to pay a small fee upfront for taxes, processing, or delivery. The prize never arrives and the fee is gone.
Warning signs:
- You won something you never entered
- Must pay a fee to claim your prize
- Requests personal and banking information
- Creates urgency to claim before deadline
The reality: Legitimate lotteries never require winners to pay fees upfront.
What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
- Stop all contact with the scammer immediately
- Contact your bank straight away — they can often stop or reverse transactions
- Report it to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 — Australia’s national identity and cyber support service
- Tell someone you trust — shame keeps many scam victims silent which helps nobody
The Most Important Rule
If something feels wrong it probably is. Scammers rely on creating urgency and panic that overrides your instincts. When you feel pressured to act immediately that pressure itself is the warning sign.
Hang up. Close the browser. Call someone you trust. A legitimate organisation will always give you time to verify and think.
Share this with every person over 60 you know — it could save them from financial devastation. And join The Good Years Club on Facebook for weekly tips on staying safe and informed.