FBI Reports Crime Incidents with Internet Safety Doubled in 2009

According to the Crime Complaint Center of the FBI, financial losses related to crime incidents with internet safety doubled in 2009. Losses resulting from online fraud in 2009 amounted to $559.7 million.

In 2008, the losses totaled $265 million. One year later, the cost per incident of cyber crime is now $575.

This is the largest jump in online fraud costs in a single year since the FBI began recording the data in 2005. The number of online-crime complaints the FBI received in 2009 also jumped by more than 22 percent.

"The figures contained in this report indicate that criminals are continuing to take full advantage of the anonymity afforded them by the Internet," commented Donald Brackman, the National White Collar Crime Center director.