Internet Fraud Increases In 2008

The 2008 Annual Report submitted by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), stated that online crime hit a record high in the year of 2008. There was a 33.1% increase over the previous year in 2007.

The dollars lossed amounted to $265 million, with 275,284 complaints being filed.

“While the complaints consisted of a variety of fraud types, non-delivery of merchandise and/or payment ranked number one (32.9%). Internet auction fraud was the second most reported offense (25.5%) followed by credit/debit card fraud (9.0%).”

There is a flurry of spam targeting the Federal Bureau Of Investigation. Consumers are getting threatening phony emails from the FBI agency. Some which are stating that they have won a lottery; recipients must send identification or risk being prosecuted.

The FBI response: Do not respond. These e-mails are a hoax. It is obvious that the FBI agency would not send this type of solicitation.

If you have been a victim of Internet crime, respond to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

And if it LooksTooGoodToBeTrue, it’s probably too good to be true!

Year      Dollar Loss
2008     $265 million (275,284 complaints)
2007     $239.09 million (206,884 complaints)
2006     $198.44 million (207,492 complaints)
2005     $183.12 million (231,493 complaints)
2004     $68.14 million (207,449 complaints)