Online fraud survey highlights Gen Z overconfidence

A representative survey conducted by infas quo as part of the ‘Machen wir Phishen Impossible!’ initiative reveals a significant gap between awareness and perceived risk regarding online fraud in Germany.

While 74 percent of respondents acknowledge that online fraud can affect anyone, approximately 21 percent believe they are personally immune. This overconfidence is most pronounced among Generation Z; 33 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds believe they will not fall victim to such scams, the highest rate across all age groups. Additionally, 48 percent of this demographic incorrectly assumes that online fraud primarily targets individuals with limited internet experience.

Experts warn that this sense of invulnerability leads to increased carelessness, such as clicking links without verification, which ultimately benefits perpetrators. The study notes that factors like shame and self-blame also hinder open discussion about phishing and payment fraud.