$2 million of scams

TRAVEL-RELATED scams cost Australians close to $2 million in 2021, according to a new report delivered by the ACCC today.

The yearly study showed Aussies fell victim to just shy of 5,000 individual incidents throughout the year, representing a mild 3% increase on 2020.

NSW and South Australia saw the biggest increases in fraudulent travel schemes, rising by 124.9% and 163% respectively, while Western Australia also witnessed a 9% uptick in reports when compared with 2020.

Meanwhile all other states and territories saw a de-escalation in travel scams, with the amount lost down 50% in Queensland, 38% in the Northern Territory, 12% in Victoria and 96% among Tasmania residents.

The travel category is comprised of travel prize scams, scratchie scams and unexpected prize and lottery scams - read the full report Here.