Australians are most likely to fall victim to scams on Tuesday afternoons at 4pm, according to new data released by Westpac.
The bank’s latest analysis of customer transaction data shows that scammers are targeting people during busy periods of the day when attention is typically diverted.
Westpac found that Tuesday is the peak day for scam activity, followed closely by Thursday and Monday. The 4pm time slot emerged as the most vulnerable point in the day, aligning with common distractions such as finishing work, school pick-up or running errands.
Westpac head of fraud prevention Ben Young said, “We’re seeing a clear pattern where scammers are striking later in the day, most commonly on Tuesday afternoons, when people are multitasking and not paying close attention to the signs that something could be a scam. These scammers are opportunistic and taking advantage of people when they can.”
The data reveals that the vast majority of scams—80%—occur between 12pm and 11pm, with 85% happening on weekdays. The most common types of scams hitting customers at 4pm include remote access scams (29%), investment scams (20%) and buying and selling scams (13%).
Young added, “You might receive a suspicious message in the morning, but it’s often in the late afternoon, when your guard is down, that you act on it. That’s the window scammers are counting on, and this is why it’s so important for people to stay alert and take a moment to think before clicking links, sharing information or sending money.”
To combat rising scam activity, Westpac has introduced a new AI-powered tool that can detect potential scams during live customer calls. Additionally, a new app feature allows customers to report scams digitally. The bank also plans to launch SafeBlock, a self-service tool enabling customers to immediately block their accounts if they suspect they’ve been targeted.
“We know scams can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, so we’re constantly monitoring and adapting our protection measures to stay one step ahead and help our customers,” Young said.
He also urged vigilance: “I would encourage everyone to keep your eyes peeled for scam activity and if you suspect you’ve been impacted, tell the bank immediately. The earlier we’re notified the sooner we’re able to try and help.”
Westpac also shared several scam prevention tips, including never sharing personal or financial details with unknown contacts, avoiding clicking on unsolicited links, verifying seller reputations, and double-checking payment information directly with businesses.
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