Key takeaways
Unemployed Australians are over 2.5 times more likely to fall victim to identity theft than the average citizen, with a 3.51% victimisation rate compared to 1.33% for full-time workers.
Scammers appear to target those under financial pressure.
People with disabilities or health restrictions are almost twice as likely to experience fraud as those without. Fraudsters are clearly exploiting vulnerability, not just opportunity.
Contrary to common belief, Australians aged 45–54 are at the highest risk, not seniors. Younger Australians (15–24) are the least affected, likely because they have smaller financial and digital footprints.
Fraudsters aren’t just after money; they’re after identities.
As our financial lives move online, every Australian needs to treat their digital identity as a valuable asset to protect, using measures like two-factor authentication, regular credit checks, and cautious online behaviour.
Imagine checking your bank account one morning and realising someone else has been using your name, your details, your money, and you had no idea until it was too late.
It’s the kind of nightmare we all hope to avoid.
But for some Australians, that risk is far higher than others and it has nothing to do with how smart or careful they are.
A new study by GBG has uncovered a startling truth: unemployed Australians are over two and a half times more likely to fall victim to identity theft than the average person.
And that’s just the beginning of what this research reveals.
The new face of identity fraud
According to GBG’s analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data, job status is now one of the strongest predictors of whether you’ll be targeted by scammers.
Unemployed Australians recorded a 3.51% victimisation rate, compared to just 1.33% for full-time workers and 1.10% for part-timers.
Note: In other words, scammers seem to be going after those already under financial pressure, those who can least afford the blow.
And it’s not just the unemployed.
People living with disabilities or restrictive conditions also face disproportionate risk, with a 1.81% victimisation rate, almost double that of non-disabled Australians.
Clearly, fraudsters aren’t just opportunistic, they’re strategic. They’re preying on vulnerability
Who else is at risk? The surprises keep coming
You might assume older Australians are the prime targets.
After all, that’s what we often hear in the media; retirees being duped by scammers on the phone or online.
But the data tells a different story.
Australians aged 45 to 54 are actually the most at risk, followed closely by those aged 35 to 44.
Younger adults under 25, on the other hand, are the least likely to be targeted, perhaps because they’ve yet to build the kind of financial and digital footprint that fraudsters can exploit.
Another surprise? Men are significantly more likely to fall victim than women, with a 30% higher risk.
And in a twist that challenges one of society’s favourite assumptions, education doesn’t necessarily protect you.
In fact, Australians with bachelor’s or postgraduate degrees experience higher rates of fraud than those with no tertiary qualifications.
It seems that having more online accounts, digital services, and financial activity, often linked to higher education and employment, can actually make you a bigger target.
GBG’s Managing Director of Identity Fraud, Gus Tomlinson, summed it up well:
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“Unemployed Australians and those with disabilities face significantly higher risks, requiring targeted support and protection.”
Fraudsters aren’t necessarily looking for people with the most money, they’re looking for people in difficult situations.
People who might be more likely to respond to a “government refund” text, a “job offer” email, or a “verification request” that looks legitimate.
In tough times, desperation makes us more trusting. And scammers know exactly how to exploit that.
A broader lesson for all of us
This study is more than a cautionary tale, it’s a reflection of a broader truth about modern life.
As our financial lives become increasingly digital, every one of us is exposed.
Our data is everywhere: on job portals, social media, shopping platforms, and banking apps.
Even well-educated, tech-savvy Australians can get caught out because the scams themselves have evolved.
They’re polished, persuasive, and often indistinguishable from the real thing.
And while we can’t eliminate the risk completely, we can manage it, much like we manage investment risks.
Here are a few simple but effective steps to reduce your vulnerability:
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Be suspicious of urgency. Scammers thrive on panic, whether it’s a “security breach” or “missed payment.” Take a breath before clicking.
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Enable two-factor authentication on all financial and social accounts. It’s one of the simplest defences available.
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Monitor your credit file for unexpected activity. Services like Equifax and Illion make it easy to spot red flags early.
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Limit the personal information you share online. Every post, resume upload, or public profile adds to your digital footprint.
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Educate your family — especially older relatives and younger kids, about how scams work today.
Final thoughts
Identity theft is no longer a niche concern, it’s part of modern financial life.
But this new data tells us that some Australians are paying a far higher price than others.
Just as we diversify our investments to manage risk, we need to treat our digital identity as an asset worth protecting.
Because in today’s world, it’s not just your money that scammers are after, it’s you.
