General News
5 September, 2025
Cairns No. 1 for scams
CAIRNS is the scam capital of Queensland, ahead of Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Nerang and Caboolture.
According to a Westpac report, the top scams driving the largest losses are investment, business email compromise (or payment redirection) and romance scams.
While scam numbers are naturally higher in states with larger populations, the rate of scams is highest in Western Australia and Queensland respectively.
Westpac head of fraud prevention Ben Young said it was the second time the bank had lifted the lid on the country’s scam hotspots and it was clear scammers continued to cast a wide net.
“From fake investment opportunities to irresistible online deals, scams are reaching Australians in every corner of the country. Scammers are constantly adapting and using emotional triggers and digital platforms to exploit Australians,” he said.
“While losses to scams continued to decline in the past 12 months, the data shows the scam types driving the largest losses are investment scams, followed by business email compromise, impersonation, romance and threat and penalty scams.
“It’s encouraging to see overall scam losses continue to come down, but we know the impact on individuals and businesses can be devastating.
“Regardless of where our customers live, we’re continuing to invest in new ways to detect and prevent scams and support our customers with education and awareness.
“We’re stopping millions of dollars in scam attempts every month but this is not a fight we can win alone. The telcos and digital platforms can play a huge role in stopping scams at the source, protecting more people from these ruthless criminals.
“Our message is simple, if something feels off, take a moment to check before you click, pay or share your details. A few extra seconds could save you thousands of dollars.”
In the meantime, Cairns Regional Council says it has become aware of a phone scam, with residents receiving calls from someone posing as Cairns Regional Council, under the guise of conducting a survey and asking for personal information.
“(The) council is not conducting a phone survey,” a spokesman said. “Please be cautious about unsolicited phone calls.
“Do not share your personal information, credit card or online account details with anyone unless you are certain of their identity.”
All of the council’s official community consultations can be found on the website at:
