Job & financial scams surge as cost pressures hit Australia & NZ

Scammers are ramping up their activity across Australia and New Zealand, targeting consumers with job and financial offers as households experience mounting cost-of-living pressures, according to new data from cybersecurity company Trend Micro.

Rising scam rates

In Australia, 42% of consumers report having been targeted by job scams, with nearly one in five (18%) admitting to falling victim. Financial scams and fraud remain equally prevalent, affecting 29% of Australians. New Zealanders are experiencing similar trends, with 39% targeted by job scams and 12% of those deceived. Financial fraud has impacted 31% of consumers there.

The findings illustrate the growing digital risk as economic conditions worsen. Half of Australians and New Zealanders say their financial security or income has declined during the past year. A significant proportion express deep concern regarding further declines in the near future.

Economic stress exploited

Data from Trend Micro indicates a strong link between economic hardship and susceptibility to scams. Among Australians who have seen their income diminish, 65% cite rising living expenses as the primary factor and 13% have lost their jobs or been laid off. In New Zealand, the respective figures are 67% and 13%.

Scammers are using a variety of tactics to lure victims. More than half of Australians (56%) have received unsolicited messages promising job opportunities or extra income, while 47% of New Zealanders report the same. Many messages have hallmarks of traditional scams, such as interventions from unidentifiable sources, companies with no public presence, and requests to continue conversations through private channels like messaging apps inside WhatsApp or Telegram.

Of those who responded to these opportunities, nearly half in both countries indicated that financial need was a driving factor. Yet only a fraction managed to secure actual earnings, and some were subsequently asked to invest their own funds before earning anything. In Australia, 40% of respondents who failed to earn from a scam offer were asked to provide upfront investment.

Job scam aftermath

"Job scams are among one of the most insidious forms of online fraud because they target people's livelihoods," said Ashley Millar, Director of Consumer Education, Trend Micro. "When living costs rise and genuine job opportunities feel scarce, offers that promise a quick buck can look incredibly convincing. Scammers exploit that pressure, turning consumers' search for financial stability into their biggest vulnerability."

Among Australian job scam victims, 28% only realised the scam after having their accounts hacked, while more than a quarter recognised the fraud only after significant monetary losses. In New Zealand, 27% discovered the deception following financial loss, and 23% were alerted by their banks.

Deal chasing risks

As prices rise, more people are searching for deals online. In Australia, 58% of consumers report spending extra time hunting for bargains, and in New Zealand the figure is 63%. Tightened budgets mean 36% of Australians and 35% of New Zealanders report they almost always click, learn more or make a purchase when they see a promising discount.

The lure of promotions sent via text is also proving tempting, with 23% of Australians and 20% of New Zealanders admitting they usually click on such links first. The urgency of finding savings is encouraging riskier online behaviour, which in turn creates more opportunities for scammers.

Cyber safety lapses

The research also shows that more than one in five people in both Australia and New Zealand admit to disabling their security software, at least temporarily, to enhance device speed or performance. This step, while seemingly practical, removes a crucial layer of digital protection.

Millar said: "When money's tight, people are more likely to take risks, and that is exactly what scammers count on. The holiday shopping season, especially high-pressure moments like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is prime time for scams. Shoppers are rushed, distracted, and eager to save, which makes them more likely to click impulsively or ignore red flags. For cybercriminals, it's the perfect storm."

"The best defence isn't complicated. If a deal looks too good to be true, assume it is. Go directly to trusted websites, avoid clicking links directly from messages or ads, and always keep your security software switched on. A few extra seconds of caution can mean the difference between a genuine bargain and a costly mistake," said Millar.