U.S. cyber crime loss spiked in ’09 to $560 M

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 centIC3 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
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