Internet security company Norton has warned Australians to be on the lookout for a wave of scams ahead of the federal election that look to take advantage of the heightened political atmosphere to target unsuspecting victims
This follows what happened in the lead up to the US Presidential election when more than half of Americans (56 per cent) were the target of election related scams that included fake polls, deep fake impersonations and bogus donation requests.
Norton says Australia could be next.
Already this year one in three Australians have been targeted by a scam and the election window offers a prime opportunity for cybercriminals.
The most common scams during election are fake polls which designed to steal personal data (16.6 per cent), political donation scams (19.1 per cent), deepfake impersonation scams (10.3 per cent) and robo election scam calls (37 per cent).
And it’s not just our personal information and money at risk.
These scams can also be a way of manipulating public opinion and misleading voters.
With the Australian federal election just two weeks away, cybercriminals will be making their move.
Norton says Australians should be alert to these common scam tactics.
Norton Threat Lab research says 90 per cent of all cyberthreats come from scams and social engineering threats – this has tripled since 2021.
And Australians are in the firing line with 33 per cent reporting they have already been targeted by scammers in 2025.
These were in the form of payment scams (42 per cent), text scams (39 per cent) and phishing scams (38 per cent).
Mark Gorrie, Managing Director APAC for Norton says Australian voters are now prime targets.
“We’ve seen how scammers exploited the US election, preying on voters through fake donation requests, impersonation scams, and disinformation campaigns,” he says.
“With the Australian election approaching, cybercriminals will likely use similar tactics here.
“We urge Australians to be highly cautious, especially when receiving unsolicited messages about political donations, surveys, or ‘exclusive’ election information.”
We’ve already seen deepfake investment videos featuring Australian ministers Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher along with an AI generated TikTok of former Queensland Premier Steven Miles that was used as attacking political content.
Norton’s research indicates deepfake and impersonation scams reached more than 10 per cent of Americans with younger demographics 25 to 34 being the most affected (19.9 per cent).
Norton says there is a strong likelihood that deepfake scams will surface during the Australian election campaign
“We’ve already seen misinformation campaigns in past elections, and the growing use of AI makes these scams even harder to detect,” Gorrie says.
“Scammers will take advantage of the heightened interest in the election to trick people into sharing personal data or handing over money.
“We’ve seen fake fundraising campaigns, bogus voter registration sites, and deepfake content spreading online.
“Australians should be highly sceptical of any unsolicited political messages and always fact-check before taking action.”
“If something seems too sensational, too urgent, or asks for personal or financial details, take a step back and verify it through official sources like the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).”
Norton’s tips on how to remain vigilant during the election
– Be cautious of unsolicited messages: Scammers often pose as political parties or government agencies.
– Verify donation requests: If you wish to donate, visit the official campaign website directly rather than clicking on links from emails or social media.
– Watch out for misinformation: Cross-check political news and social media posts with reliable sources.
– Stay alert for AI-generated content: Deepfake videos and impersonation scams are on the rise; be sceptical of sensational political content.
