Top 5 scams in 2025 Aussies must be aware of—NAB insider tips revealed!
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As we navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, the unfortunate reality is that scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Our friends at the National Australia Bank (NAB) have sounded the alarm on the top five scams targeting Aussies in 2025, and we must stay informed to protect ourselves and our hard-earned money.
These scams range from AI-driven schemes to deceptive investment offers designed to trick even the most cautious individuals. By staying aware of these risks and learning how to spot them, we can safeguard ourselves against potential financial loss.
NAB's Executive for Group Investigations, Chris Sheehan, a former Australian Federal Police officer, has highlighted the importance of vigilance.
Scammers are adept at creating a sense of urgency, exploiting our fears of missing out and presenting us with seemingly legitimate opportunities that are too good to pass up.
But before you act on that urgent email or enticing investment opportunity, let's dive into the five key scam trends every Australian over 60 should know this year.
First, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about many advancements, but it has also opened the door to new forms of fraud.
Scammers are now using deepfakes—highly realistic digital impersonations created by AI—to mimic well-known Australians and promote fraudulent opportunities on social media.
These scams can be crafted from just a few seconds of audio or an image, making them incredibly convincing.
NAB warned that AI is also being used to manipulate photos from social media for sextortion scams, which can have devastating effects on victims.
Second, cryptocurrency. They continue to be a hotbed for scams, with criminals preying on the fear of missing out on the next big investment.
Fake crypto trading apps and websites are luring victims with the promise of significant returns.
Initially, small profits may be shown to gain trust, but when it comes time to withdraw funds, victims are hit with fees, taxes, or account lockouts.
It's a particularly insidious scam as older Australians may not be as familiar with digital currencies, making them more vulnerable to these sophisticated cons.
Thirdly, scammers also target those once-in-a-lifetime moments, such as seeing a favourite international music act or travelling abroad.
Fake or counterfeit tickets are sold at inflated prices, often through social media or digital platforms.
NAB has already thwarted attempts where tickets to big-name concerts were used as bait. It's a cruel scam that plays on our emotions and excitement for these special events.
Fourth, remote access scams are not new, but they remain one of the most common and damaging ways scammers target Australians, especially businesses.
These scams start with a phone call from someone impersonating a reputable organisation, who then convinces the victim to download software that grants the scammer remote access to their computer—and sensitive information like online banking details.
The losses from these scams can be staggering, often running into tens of thousands of dollars.
And lastly, phishing scams. This continues to be a go-to method for scammers, who use texts, emails, or phone calls to masquerade as trusted organisations and extract sensitive information.
An emerging trend involves messages about expiring supermarket or retail reward points, exploiting the current cost-of-living pressures many face.
NAB's ongoing fight against scams has seen some success, with customer scam losses decreasing by 20 per cent year-on-year despite an 18 per cent increase in scam reports.
But there's more work to be done, and NAB is committed to doing more in 2025 to protect customers and the community.
The key takeaway from NAB's warning is to be cautious and think twice before responding to any unexpected contact, especially if it involves your personal or financial information.
If you suspect a scam has targeted you, contact your bank immediately.
In other news, the National Australia Bank warned Australians travelling overseas about the risk of scams at major events and tourist destinations.
Travellers were urged to avoid common scams, including tickets, accommodation, and overcharging. You can read more about it here.
Have you or someone you know encountered these scams? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others recognise and avoid these fraudulent schemes.
Our friends at the National Australia Bank (NAB) have sounded the alarm on the top five scams targeting Aussies in 2025, and we must stay informed to protect ourselves and our hard-earned money.
These scams range from AI-driven schemes to deceptive investment offers designed to trick even the most cautious individuals. By staying aware of these risks and learning how to spot them, we can safeguard ourselves against potential financial loss.
NAB's Executive for Group Investigations, Chris Sheehan, a former Australian Federal Police officer, has highlighted the importance of vigilance.
Scammers are adept at creating a sense of urgency, exploiting our fears of missing out and presenting us with seemingly legitimate opportunities that are too good to pass up.
NAB has identified the top five scams targeting Australians in 2025. Credit: Facebook
But before you act on that urgent email or enticing investment opportunity, let's dive into the five key scam trends every Australian over 60 should know this year.
First, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about many advancements, but it has also opened the door to new forms of fraud.
Scammers are now using deepfakes—highly realistic digital impersonations created by AI—to mimic well-known Australians and promote fraudulent opportunities on social media.
These scams can be crafted from just a few seconds of audio or an image, making them incredibly convincing.
NAB warned that AI is also being used to manipulate photos from social media for sextortion scams, which can have devastating effects on victims.
Second, cryptocurrency. They continue to be a hotbed for scams, with criminals preying on the fear of missing out on the next big investment.
Fake crypto trading apps and websites are luring victims with the promise of significant returns.
Initially, small profits may be shown to gain trust, but when it comes time to withdraw funds, victims are hit with fees, taxes, or account lockouts.
It's a particularly insidious scam as older Australians may not be as familiar with digital currencies, making them more vulnerable to these sophisticated cons.
Thirdly, scammers also target those once-in-a-lifetime moments, such as seeing a favourite international music act or travelling abroad.
Fake or counterfeit tickets are sold at inflated prices, often through social media or digital platforms.
NAB has already thwarted attempts where tickets to big-name concerts were used as bait. It's a cruel scam that plays on our emotions and excitement for these special events.
Fourth, remote access scams are not new, but they remain one of the most common and damaging ways scammers target Australians, especially businesses.
These scams start with a phone call from someone impersonating a reputable organisation, who then convinces the victim to download software that grants the scammer remote access to their computer—and sensitive information like online banking details.
The losses from these scams can be staggering, often running into tens of thousands of dollars.
And lastly, phishing scams. This continues to be a go-to method for scammers, who use texts, emails, or phone calls to masquerade as trusted organisations and extract sensitive information.
An emerging trend involves messages about expiring supermarket or retail reward points, exploiting the current cost-of-living pressures many face.
NAB's ongoing fight against scams has seen some success, with customer scam losses decreasing by 20 per cent year-on-year despite an 18 per cent increase in scam reports.
But there's more work to be done, and NAB is committed to doing more in 2025 to protect customers and the community.
The key takeaway from NAB's warning is to be cautious and think twice before responding to any unexpected contact, especially if it involves your personal or financial information.
If you suspect a scam has targeted you, contact your bank immediately.
In other news, the National Australia Bank warned Australians travelling overseas about the risk of scams at major events and tourist destinations.
Travellers were urged to avoid common scams, including tickets, accommodation, and overcharging. You can read more about it here.
