Here’s an ugly trend.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has reported that complaints of cyber crime losses in the U.S. more than doubled from $265 million in 2008 to $560 million in 2009.
The increase was much higher than previous year-over-year figures. The Center’s web site carried the following annual numbers:
The IC3 annual report said that the group received 336,655 complaints in 2009, an increase of 22.3 percent increase over 2008.
Types of complaints included:
— Thieves pretending to represent the FBI: 16 per cent
— Non-delivery of merchandise: 11.9 per cent
— advanced fee fraud scams (also called 419 scams): 9.8 per cent
IC3 said 146,663 complaints were referred to local, state or federal agencies
— non-delivery of merchandise or payments:19.9 per cent
— identity theft: 14.1 per cent
— credit card fraud: 10.4 per cent
— auction fraud: 10.3 per cent
— computer fraud or hacking: 7.9 per cent.
IC3 report here.
News story in Register here.
Tom Kelchner