Older Australians lose disproportionately to fraud despite low overall crime
Adults 65 and over account for about 26.5% of scam losses while making up only about 17% of the population.
Older Australians are statistically safer from crime overall than younger people. Older Australians face two exceptions: fraud and abuse by people they know.
Research shows they are victimised at similar rates as other age groups in scams, yet lose significantly more money. Adults 65 and over account for about 26.5% of all losses reported to Scamwatch, despite being just about 17% of the population.
A study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found 14.8% of people aged 65 and over experienced abuse in the past year. Psychological abuse was most common at 11.7%, followed by neglect, financial abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.
About half of all abusers were family members, rising to 64% in financial abuse cases. Worryingly, while total scam losses fell overall, older Australians were the only age group whose total losses rose in 2023.
- 26.5% of losses, 17% of population
- Scam losses proportion
- 64% family members
- Financial abuse perpetrators
- 11.7% of abuse cases
- Psychological abuse rate
Why it mattersOlder Australians face hidden financial and emotional harms that go largely unreported, often by the people closest to them.
AustraliaThis affects millions of Australian retirees and pensioners, who lose money and safety within their own families while statistics mask the real harm.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 h ago
