Internet Crime Statistics

Internet crime statistics are horrifying. For instance “phishing” alone generates at least one billion dollars for the criminals. FBI survey conducted in 2004 revealed that around 90 percent of 500 companies who participated in the survey experienced online security problems leading to financial loss for some 80 percent of them.

In 2003, credit card fraud generated four billion dollars for the swindlers. Fifty percent of the credit card fraud occurred online.
Complaints filed as of 2006 of internet-related crimes reached a staggering number 207, 492. The most reported crime was internet auction fraud which accounted for 45 percent of the total complaints.

Around 75% of the perpetrators of internet crimes are male coming from most populous states in the United States: District of Columbia, Nevada, New York, Tennessee, Maine and Florida.

The problems brought about by internet to the society are growing. The price we pay for misuse of internet is getting steeper too.
Internet crimes schemes stole millions of dollars from victims every year. The perpetrators are getting more and more creative in their approach thus making the crime more complicated and difficult to stop.

The authorities cannot stop the criminals on their own. The individual internet users must do their share to be able to stop internet crime. It is not only money or properties that are at stake here but also the safety of the lives of our loved ones.

Perhaps, the most serious internet crimes are those involving the safety of our loved ones. It is not unusual to read news stories of kids kidnapped or raped or murdered due to internet.

Kids' use of the internet particularly chat rooms should be given due attention. Parents must educate their kids of the dangers of meeting strangers online and seeing these chat mates in person. Make sure that your kids don't keep important information from you such as meeting strangers.