Scammers stole $38.8 million from Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in 2024, with victims suffering higher median losses than the general population, according to the latest Targeting Scams report by the National Anti-Scam Centre.
The report, which analysed data from Scamwatch, revealed that while CALD communities accounted for 11,666 scam reports, the financial impact was disproportionately severe. The median loss for CALD reporters was $1,000—double the $500 median loss across all Scamwatch reports.
Key Findings:
- Investment scams were the most costly, with CALD victims losing $19.5 million.
- Threat-based scams had the highest individual losses, with a median of $50,000 per victim.
- CALD communities represented just 5.8% of threat-based scam reports but bore 54.1% of the total losses for this category.
Catriona Lowe, Deputy Chair of the ACCC, emphasised the importance of targeted awareness: “Scammers exploit vulnerabilities, including language barriers. We urge everyone to share resources in their communities to help spot and avoid scams.”
Multilingual Resources Available
To combat these trends, Scamwatch offers information in 22 languages, including:
- The Little Book of Scams, available in 18 languages (https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/system/files/little-book-scams-2024-english.pdf).
- Translated posters, audio recordings, and videos.
For non-English speakers, scams can be reported via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) by calling 131 450 and requesting to connect with Scamwatch.
Protect Yourself: Stop. Check. Protect.
Scamwatch encourages all Australians to:
- STOP before responding to unexpected requests.
- CHECK for red flags (e.g., urgency, payment demands).
- PROTECT personal and financial details.
Visit https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/stop-check-protect/in-your-language-scam-information for translated resources to share with family and friends.
