Australians are being warned about new scam threats driven by artificial intelligence, such as voice cloning and deepfake videos.

Total reports drop, but financial losses rise

However, the almost $175 million reported lost represents a 26 per cent increase.

The ACCC stated on Monday that, although the losses in 2025 have decreased by 39 percent compared to the same period in 2023, financial losses were at their peak in 2022 and early 2023.

Losses to phishing, shopping scams in 2025

“Government, business, and individuals all have roles in creating a community that is aware of scams and can reach every segment of the population, including those with greater challenges in understanding or reporting scams.”

“Taking just a few moments to verify a seller or offer can be the difference between a good deal and a devastating financial loss.”

AI-powered scams to look out for

“AI scams, such as fake celebrity investment ads and voice clones pleading for assistance, are not only becoming more sophisticated but also increasingly target and manipulate emotions.”

“Our customers are gaining more knowledge on how to protect themselves,” commented Shaq Johnson, head of Australia and New Zealand customer protection at ANZ.