Card fraud on the rise
An estimated 1.8 million Australians aged 15 years and over experienced card fraud in 2022-23, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
William Milne, ABS head of crime and justice statistics, said: “The Personal Fraud Survey found that 8.7 per cent of people experienced card fraud in 2022-23. This was an increase from 8.1 per cent in 2021-2022.”
One-third (34 per cent) of card fraud victims had less than $100 fraudulently withdrawn or spent, while for one in six victims (18 per cent) the amount was over $1,000.
“The median amount that was fraudulently withdrawn or spent was around $200 for each card fraud incident,” said Mr. Milne.
Nearly all people (98 per cent) who experienced card fraud notified (or were notified by) an authority about the incident, with 92 per cent contacting or being contacted by a bank or financial institution.
The survey also found that half a million Australians had fallen victim to scams in 2022-23.
“Buying or selling scams, which includes things like false billing and online shopping scams, were the most common, experienced by nearly 200,000 Australians,” said Mr. Milne.
Over two-thirds (69 per cent) of scam victims notified (or were notified by) an authority about the incident, most commonly a bank or financial institution (49 per cent).
The 2022-23 Personal Fraud Survey results include the prevalence of card fraud, identity theft, online impersonation, and selected scam types. The publication also includes key socio-demographic characteristics of those experiencing each of the personal fraud types.
Media notes
- Card fraud involves the use of credit, debit, or EFTPOS card details to make purchases or withdraw cash without the account owner's permission.
- A scam is a fraudulent invitation, request, notification or offer, designed to obtain personal information or money or otherwise obtain a financial benefit by deceptive means.
- Buying or selling scams involve requests for payment of fake invoices or products, or the purchase of non-existent, stolen or counterfeit goods. Includes false billing, classifieds, overpayments, and online shopping scams.
- The amount withdrawn or used refers to the most recent incident of card fraud in the previous 12 months.
- Reporting rate refers to the proportion of victims who reported their most recent incident to an authority for card fraud, and most serious incident to an authority for scams.
- The most recent incident of card fraud and most serious scam incident may have been reported to more than one authority.
- Reporting authorities include bank or financial institution, social media or selling site, government organisation or department, police, and other.
- When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
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