A survey by Finder of over 1,000 Australians highlights that 10% of respondents, or around two million people nationwide, have lied about their income. Among those who deceived others, nearly half (49%) admitted to lying to friends, while 34% deceived family members, and 21% lied to romantic partners. Additionally, some misrepresented their salaries to future employers (27%) and on financial applications (10%).
Graham Cooke, Finder’s head of consumer research, suggests that these dishonesty stems from societal pressures and personal insecurities, with some individuals inflating their incomes to project success or gain leverage during salary negotiations. He warns that misrepresentation can have serious consequences, including denied loan applications, damaged credit scores, and potential legal repercussions.
Generational patterns reveal that Generation Z (15%) are the most likely to misrepresent their earnings, followed by millennials (11%) and Gen X (9%). Women (11%) are slightly more likely than men (9%) to falsify their earnings, with men more frequently lying to employers and romantic partners.
Cooke stresses the importance of honesty in relationships, noting that financial dishonesty can erode trust and hinder effective communication about finances. Ultimately, individuals are not obligated to disclose their salaries unless they choose to do so.