The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning about the increasing prevalence of online scams, which resulted in a staggering $16.6 billion in losses for Americans in 2024. This marks a new high in reported cybercrime losses, according to the FBI's latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report.
The report details a wide range of scams, including phishing schemes, investment fraud, romance scams, and business email compromise (BEC). Phishing, where criminals attempt to steal sensitive information by disguising themselves as trustworthy entities, remains a common tactic. Investment scams, promising high returns with little risk, also contributed significantly to the overall losses.
Romance scams, in which fraudsters build relationships online to manipulate victims into sending money, continue to be emotionally and financially devastating. BEC scams, targeting businesses with fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate vendors or employees, accounted for a substantial portion of the reported losses.
The FBI advises individuals and businesses to take proactive steps to protect themselves from online scams. These steps include verifying the authenticity of emails and websites, being wary of unsolicited requests for personal or financial information, using strong and unique passwords, and keeping software up to date. If you believe you have been a victim of an online scam, report it immediately to the IC3 at ic3.gov.
FBI: Online Scams Cost Americans $16.6 Billion in 2024
Online scams are on the rise, costing Americans billions of dollars. The FBI reported a record $16.6 billion was stolen through internet-based fraud in 2024. This represents a significant increase in losses compared to previous years, highlighting the growing sophistication of cybercriminals. The FBI urges individuals and businesses to be vigilant and report any suspected scams to protect themselves from financial harm.
Source: Read the original article at NBC