Major purchases and life transitions, including buying or selling a house, are among the high-pressure moments when Australians are most exposed to scams, according to new research from TrendLife, the consumer business unit of cybersecurity company Trend Micro.
The global Digital Life and AI Experiences study surveyed more than 10,000 consumers across nine markets, including 1,038 Australians, between March 25 and April 3, 2026.
It found 13 per cent of Australians have been scammed, or know someone close to them who has, specifically while buying or selling a house. A broader category of major purchases or investments, such as buying a car or property, was higher again at 20 per cent.
Other high-risk moments identified in the research included job interview processes (18 per cent), applying for government benefits or income tax support (17 per cent), moving to a new address (15 per cent), and starting a new job or contract (13 per cent).
The research also found Australians are increasingly navigating these moments online. Almost two in five (38 per cent) used AI tools to support major life events, and close to half (49 per cent) shared personal information as part of these processes.
While older Australians are often assumed to be most at risk online, the research found those aged 18 to 34 were more likely to experience scams during these high-stakes moments. Among 18 to 24 year olds specifically, only 8 per cent verified whether an organisation was legitimate, compared with 22 per cent overall, and just 4 per cent used an identity protection service, compared with 11 per cent overall.
Older cohorts weren’t immune either: Australians over 65 were the least likely to carefully check website URLs or use secure websites (27 per cent versus 40 per cent overall), while those aged 55 to 64 were least likely to monitor bank or online accounts for suspicious activity (33 per cent versus 44 per cent overall).
Lynette Owens, Vice President of Consumer Education and Marketing at TrendLife, said major life moments create the conditions scammers look to exploit.
“Major life moments like job interviews or buying a house often involve big decisions and unfamiliar parties,” Ms Owens said.
“That’s exactly what scammers exploit. These attacks feel more convincing because they’re tied to real events in people’s lives, when they are already sharing sensitive information.”
She also said the shift to managing these moments online made digital literacy critical.
“As more of these life moments move online, digital literacy becomes critical. Australians need to know how to verify who they are dealing with, be wary of messages designed to create urgency, and slow down before acting.”
On AI specifically, Ms Owens said consumers needed to be cautious about what they shared with AI tools during major decisions.
“AI is quickly becoming part of how Australians make decisions and manage important life moments, but it isn’t risk-free,” Owens said.
For agents, the research is a reminder that clients moving through a purchase or sale are often doing so under pressure, dealing with unfamiliar parties and processes, and sharing sensitive financial information at the exact moment the research shows scammers are most active.