How AI, fake news and scams are evolving

Technology has come a long way. Just a few years ago, we’d be surprised at the idea of using AI to plan holidays or summarise our notes at work. Yet alongside this convenience, there’s a darker side – scams, fake news, and misinformation. In today’s world, it’s harder than ever to tell what’s real, and the risks to our digital safety continue to grow.

The Australian Seniors Scams Report 2025 is the latest instalment in the Australian Seniors research series. It explores how Australians aged 50+ are navigating this new reality. Surveying more than 1,200 people nationwide, the report uncovers the financial and emotional toll of scams – accelerated by advances in AI – and the growing challenge of staying scam-savvy in an age of misinformation.

Key findings

• Over 4 in 5 (83%) over 50s say it’s harder to trust news than 1–2 years ago
• Over 4 in 5 (84%) have encountered or been victims of a scam
• 1 in 4 (25%) have experienced an AI-related scam
• 1 in 5 (22%) have lost money to scams
• More than 4 in 5 (83%) are worried about scams

Download the full report here

A nation on alert: scams in everyday life

It can feel like we’re fending off digital threats almost daily. The majority of Australians 50+ (84%) have either encountered or been victims of a scam, while nearly as many (83%) say they worry about scams.

Artificial intelligence has only amplified the risk – with 1 in 4 (25%) reporting an AI-related scam experience.

Is seeing believing? Spotting misinformation and fake news

The phrase “seeing is believing” no longer holds true. Over 4 in 5 (83%) seniors say it’s harder to trust news now than it was 1–2 years ago. Yet 7 in 10 (71%) admit they still assume online content is real without checking, and only 15% actively fact-check before sharing.

Misinformation isn’t just confusing – it’s straining relationships. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) Gen X’ers (aged 50–58) say disagreements over news have caused tension with friends or family.

To combat misinformation, 4 in 5 (80%) have changed their digital habits:

• 33% update privacy or content-filter settings
• 33% unfollow unreliable sources
• 31% limit social-media or news use

The rise of AI – scammers get more realistic

AI has ushered in a new wave of sophisticated scams. 2 in 5 (38%) seniors say they’ve encountered an AI-generated image, video, or article they initially believed was real, while 3 in 10 (31%) aren’t sure if they’ve ever mistaken fake content for real.

More than half (51%) believe all types of AI-generated content will soon be equally hard to detect, and 9 in 10 (88%) feel left behind when learning about AI and its risks.

This gap in understanding leaves many feeling vulnerable:

• 43% lack confidence spotting AI-generated voices on the phone
• 38% feel uncertain about what’s real online
• 37% feel more vulnerable to scams due to AI

Common scams in 2025

Scams are now part of daily life. Over 3 in 5 (63%) believe they’ve been targeted in the past 12 months, and among these, more than half (53%) say they’re contacted by scammers at least weekly.

Top channels for scam contact:

• Phone calls (73%)
• Emails (70%)
• SMS/text messages (59%)

Most common scam types:

• AusPost / parcel delivery (47%)
• Overdue payment (40%)
• Phishing / impersonation (36%)
• ATO / MyGov (34%)

1 in 4 (25%) have faced an AI-related scam, usually AI-generated phishing emails. Scammers rely on urgency (42%) and authority (41%) tactics – posing as banks, government agencies, or even loved ones.

The true cost: financial and emotional impact

The consequences of scams reach far beyond money. 1 in 5 (22%) seniors have lost money or assets – and 37% of those victims were scammed multiple times.

• 58% lost under $1,000
• 3% lost $50,000 or more

While 56% report their losses to a bank or financial institution, 16% don’t report at all – revealing a serious gap in response.

Emotional toll

More than 4 in 5 (83%) are worried about scams, and 1 in 2 (47%) say they now feel less safe. 1 in 5 (19%) say they’re not confident identifying a scam at all.

Outsmarting the scammers: how to stay protected

Despite the risks, many seniors are proactive. Nearly half (47%) seek scam-prevention information from banks or financial institutions, while 46% turn to government resources such as Scamwatch, the ACCC, or the eSafety Commission.

41% seek advice from family or friends, though 14% don’t look for information at all – a sign that awareness campaigns need to reach further.

Staying informed in the age of AI

The research offers a sobering snapshot of Australia’s digital reality – from deepfakes and phishing emails to rising anxiety and eroding trust.

But it also highlights resilience. Older Australians are actively adapting, learning, and supporting one another in an evolving online world.

Methodology

Findings in this article are drawn from the Australian Seniors Scams Report 2025, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,200 Australians aged 50 and over. The survey was conducted online, using demographic stratification to ensure responses reflected Australia’s population by age, gender, and location.