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One in five Australians have been scammed or know someone close to them who has been scammed while making a major purchase or investment, according to new research from TrendLife, the consumer business unit of Trend Micro.
The global Digital Life and AI Experiences study drew on insights from more than 10,000 consumers across nine markets, including over 1,000 Australians. It found that high-pressure life moments such as buying a car or property, job hunting and navigating tax time are being exploited by scammers who take advantage of urgency and unfamiliarity.
Major purchases and investments topped the list at 20 per cent, followed by job interview processes at 18 per cent and applying for government benefits or income tax support at 17 per cent. Moving to a new address or location accounted for 15 per cent, while beginning a new job or contract position and buying or selling a house each came in at 13 per cent.
Life Moments Moving Online
Many Australians are navigating these high-stakes moments online, often under pressure and with limited familiarity with the processes involved. Close to two in five (38 per cent) are using AI tools to support major life events, while almost half (49 per cent) are sharing personal information as part of these processes.
Lynette Owens, Vice President of Consumer Education and Marketing at TrendLife, pointed to the way scammers are capitalising on the circumstances surrounding these events.
“Major life moments like job interviews or buying a house often involve big decisions and unfamiliar parties,” Owens explained. “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.”
“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.”
Younger Australians Taking The Biggest Risks
While older Australians are often perceived as the most vulnerable to digital risks, the research found that those aged 18-34 are particularly exposed. This cohort was more likely to experience scams during high-stakes moments, despite their familiarity with digital tools.
Among Australians aged 18-24, only 8 per cent verified whether an organisation was legitimate before sharing personal information, compared with 22 per cent overall. Just 4 per cent used an identity protection service, compared with 11 per cent overall.
Only 17 per cent of 18-24 year olds enabled or updated their privacy and security settings, compared with 29 per cent overall. A third (33 per cent) used up-to-date security software, compared with 44 per cent overall, and the same proportion avoided public Wi-Fi networks, compared with 45 per cent overall.
Older Australians Also Showing Gaps
Cybersecurity habits remain inconsistent across older generations as well.
Australians over 65 are the least likely to carefully check website URLs or use secure websites, at 27 per cent compared with 40 per cent overall. Those aged 55-64 are the least likely to monitor bank or online accounts for suspicious activity, at 33 per cent compared with 44 per cent overall.
More broadly, more than one in four (28 per cent) Australians do not use security or antivirus software on their personal computer, while 59 per cent do not use protection on their personal mobile device.
AI Confidence And Awareness Lagging
As AI tools become more widely used, many Australians remain uncertain about how to identify emerging digital threats and protect their personal information.
When it comes to spotting AI-generated scams and deepfakes, 21 per cent indicated they are not confident they could identify an AI-generated scam, while 22 per cent described themselves as very or extremely confident.
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Awareness of AI-related privacy risks is similarly uneven, with 32 per cent either unaware of the risks of sharing personal information with AI tools or unsure of the specifics.
High Concern But Low Action
Concern about AI-related risks among Australian respondents exceeded the global average on several measures.
Some 44 per cent indicated they are very or extremely concerned about the safety of information shared with AI tools, higher than the global average of 38 per cent. That figure rose to 57 per cent among those over 65.
Half (50 per cent) are very or extremely concerned someone could misuse information shared with AI tools, also above the global average of 44 per cent.
Despite these concerns, only 35 per cent decline to allow their information to be used to train AI models.
Owens noted the disconnect between concern and behaviour.
“AI is quickly becoming part of how Australians make decisions and manage important life moments, but it isn’t risk-free,” she remarked. “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.”
About The Research
The research was conducted by TrendLife between 25 March and 3 April 2026, among 10,350 consumers aged 18 and over in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States, including 1,038 in Australia. Data was weighted to be nationally representative of each country by age, gender and household income.
TrendLife is the consumer business unit of Trend Micro, providing digital life protection solutions to individuals and families.
Last Updated on July 7, 2026 by Nick Ross
