Consumer Reports WebWatch : What's Really Going On
advanced search
For Consumers For Media For Businesses
home about investigations guidelines consumer center media contact
Site Map Print this Page
  LOGIN   |   REGISTER
 
you are here: Consumer Center > Top 10 Internet Scams
TOPICS:
Where to File an Internet Fraud Complaint
Top 10 Internet Scams
Web Credibility
Travel
Search Engines
Health
Consumer Groups
Financial
Families and Children
Privacy
Journalism
Online Advertising
Fraud
Non-Profit Sites

Privacy Policy


 
Tools
 
Increase Font Size
Decrease Font Size

 
 
 
  Consumer Center Image  
Top 10 Internet Scams

Top 10 Internet Scams (2004)

(Source: National White Collar Crime Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Type of Complaint Percentage
of Total Complaints		 Average Loss
Auction Fraud 71.2% $200
Non-Delivery (merchandise and payment) 15.8% $264.95
Credit/Debit Card Fraud 5.4% $240
Check Fraud 1.3% $3,600
Investment Fraud 0.6% $625.57
Confidence Fraud 0.4% $1,000
Identity Theft 0.3% $907.30
Computer Fraud 0.2% $391.20
Nigerian Letter Scam 0.2% $3,000
Financial Institutions Fraud 0.1% $968

back to top

Ages of Consumers Who Filed Complaints (2004)


Ages Percentage of
Total Complaints
Under 20 3.9%
20-29 25.9%
30-39 26.3%
40-49 23.6%
50-59 15.5%
60 and over 4.8%

back to top

Top 10 Internet Scams (2003)


(Source: Internet Fraud Complaint Center)
Type of Complaint Percentage of
Total Complaints
Auction Fraud 89%
General Merchandise
(non-delivery or not as advertised)		 5%
Nigerian Money Offers 2%
Information/
Adult Services		 1%
Internet Access Services 1%
Computer Equipment/Software .2%
Work-at-Home Plans .2%
Lotteries .2%
Fake Checks .2%
Advance Fee Loans .1%

back to top

Ages of Consumers Who Filed Complaints (2003)


Ages Percentage of
Total Complaints
Under 20 3%
20-29 26%
30-39 27%
40-49 25%
50-59 14%
60-69 4%
70+ 1%

back to top

Top 10 Internet Scams (2002)


(Source: Internet Fraud Complaint Center)

Type of Complaint Percentage
of Total Complaints		 Average Loss
Auction Fraud 46.1% $320
Non-Delivery (merchandise and payment) 31.3% $176
Credit/Debit Card Fraud 11.6% $120
Investment Fraud 1.5% $570
Business Fraud 1.3% $220
Confidence Fraud 1.1% $1,000
Identity Theft 1% $2,000
Check Fraud 0.5% $1,100
Nigerian Letter Fraud 0.4% $3,864
Communications Fraud 0.1% $174

back to top

Ages of Consumers Who Filed Complaints (2002)


Ages Percentage of
Total Complaints
Under 20 2%
20-29 21%
30-39 26.2%
40-49 25.3%
50-59 16.8%
60 and older 8.7%
 
About the Consumer Center
Consumer Reports WebWatch compiled this list of organizations, agencies, academic programs, professional groups and Web sites with a stake in credibility, consumer protection, privacy and other related issues on the Web. Descriptions of these sites and programs can be accessed by choosing a topic from the left side menu and were written by the Consumer Reports WebWatch staff. Our listing them here does not represent an endorsement by us of their work, but rather is meant to provide consumers with information resources.
Click here for a list of the
top 10 Internet scams in 2003
 © Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.