A new report by Consumer Scotland has found that around one fifth of younger consumers (18.2%) had fallen victim to a scam in the past 12 months, compared with 10% of consumers overall.
The report identified stark differences in consumer experiences, with disabled consumers, those facing financial vulnerability and digitally excluded consumers more likely to experience harm.
However, younger consumers consistently face some of the highest rates of harm with nearly 74% of those aged 18 to 24 experiencing detriment, compared with 41% aged 65 to 74 and just 31% of those aged over 75.
Around one fifth of younger consumers (18.2%) had fallen victim to a scam in the past 12 months, compared with 10% of consumers overall.
Younger people also had the lowest levels of consumer confidence (55% compared to an average of 70%) and were less likely to be confident in understanding their rights (60% compared to an average of nearly 67%).
The results highlight the fact that, despite often being more digitally connected, younger consumers may be exposed to different risks through their spending patterns, online activity and engagement with rapidly evolving digital markets.