As the cost of living continues to bite, Australians aged over 55 are spending more time than ever hunting for bargains online – but new research shows scammers are ready and waiting to exploit that desperation.
According to two national Trend Micro studies conducted in 2025, older Australians are not only more active online, they’re also feeling more financially pressured and less confident in spotting fake deals – a combination that makes them prime targets for increasingly sophisticated online scams.
And the numbers are worrying.
Over-55s are being hit hard: “We’re searching more, clicking more — and risking more.”
Trend Micro’s latest data shows:
30 per cent of over-55s have already been victims of financial fraud.
41 per cent are “very or extremely” concerned about being targeted while doing online financial transactions.
53 per cent say they now spend more time searching for good prices than last year.
Of those, 80 per cent say higher prices are forcing them to trawl the internet for better deals.
27 per cent of over-55s admit they almost always click on a good online deal when they see one.
35 per cent say that when they receive a discount via text message, their first step is to research the promotion online – a good sign, but not enough to stop scammers.
As household budgets tighten, older Australians are becoming bigger targets simply because they’re spending more time scanning online retailers, comparison sites, travel platforms and social media ads.
Unfortunately, scammers know this – and they’ve adjusted their tactics accordingly.
Scams spike during the holidays – right when over-55s are shopping the most
The second Trend Micro study reveals that scammers ramp up their activity during November and December, when Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas shopping collide.
Among Australians aged 55+:
87 per cent plan to spend the same or more time looking for deals this holiday season.
27 per cent will shop or book travel online on Black Friday.
16 per cent will do so on Cyber Monday.
Yet only 7 per cent feel extremely confident they can tell a real deal from a fake one.
And older Australians are already seeing suspicious activity:
19 per cent have spotted what they believed were scam ads or promotions for gifts or travel.
12 per cent say they’ve seen a scam impersonating a well-known brand.
Nearly half (47 per cent) say email is where they feel most targeted, followed by text messages (17 per cent) and social media (15 per cent).
Instinct still plays a role, with 38 per cent saying they relied on “gut feeling” to detect a scam – but scammers have become increasingly polished, making fake sites and texts almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
Why the over-55s are especially vulnerable right now
Trend Micro’s Australia-wide research across all ages reveals how financial stress can make people take digital risks they normally wouldn’t:
50 per cent say their income has taken a hit this year.
65 per cent say their living expenses have increased.
Nearly 1 in 2 people who responded to scam messages said they did so because they needed the money.
During October alone, scam messages disguised as sales or promotions increased by 14 per cent.
For older Australians – many of whom are on fixed incomes or living off retirement savings – those pressures can be even more intense. A “too good to be true” deal can feel irresistible when budgets are tight.
And worryingly, 1 in 5 Australians have disabled their security software to make devices run faster, creating a perfect opening for scammers.
What experts say: ‘If a deal looks too good to be true, it almost always is.’
Trend Micro’s Director of Consumer Education, Ashley Millar, says scammers know older Australians are bargain-hunting more than ever.
“When money’s tight, people are more likely to take risks – and that is exactly what scammers count on,” Millar says.
“Rushed Christmas shopping, tight budgets and the pressure to find the perfect deal create the perfect storm. A few extra seconds of caution can prevent a very costly mistake.”
Millar recommends:
Going directly to trusted retailer websites
Never clicking links in texts or emails
Doubt every deal that seems “amazing”
Keeping security software always switched on
The bottom line? Be cautious – not click-happy.
With over-55s more digitally active than ever, scams will continue to target them where they’re most vulnerable: discounts, travel deals, charity donations, and unexpected texts.
Financial pressure may be rising – but so is the need for caution.
If a deal pops up promising massive savings … take a breath, take your time, and always double-check.
Your wallet will thank you later.
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