On Tuesday afternoons at 4pm, many individuals find themselves in the midst of a frenzy, juggling work commitments and school pick-ups, which makes them particularly vulnerable to scams. An analysis of Westpac transaction data reveals that this is the peak time for scammers, with similar patterns noted on Monday and Thursday afternoons.
Ben Young, Westpac’s head of fraud prevention, explains that scammers exploit these hectic moments, preying on people who are less attentive and more distracted. He notes that while a suspicious message might be received earlier in the day, it is often in the late afternoon when individuals are most likely to act on it, lowering their guard significantly. According to Young, “this is the window scammers are counting on,” emphasizing the need for vigilance. He advises individuals to take a moment and think critically before engaging with links or sharing personal information.
The data highlights that a whopping 80 per cent of scamming incidents take place from lunchtime onwards, with 85 per cent occurring on weekdays. A prevalent type of scam during these busy afternoons involves remote access, constituting 30 per cent of scams. These particular scams tend to leverage an urgent tone and create confusion, capitalising on the decreased focus of individuals.
In light of this information, it’s crucial for people to remain alert and exercise caution, especially during the times they are busiest, ensuring they safeguard against potential scams.