The FBI's recent Internet Crime Report highlights a troubling 33% spike in cyber scams, totaling $16 billion stolen from Americans in 2024. The elderly were disproportionately affected, comprising nearly 30% of losses. California emerged as the most impacted state, with $2.5 billion lost, while the next closest was Texas at $1.2 billion less. The most prevalent scam was phishing, with 193,000 reports. The FBI emphasizes the importance of vigilance and awareness in combating these online threats.
According to the FBI's annual Internet Crime Report, cyber scams surged 33% in 2024, costing Americans $16 billion, primarily affecting older individuals.
In 2024, Californians lost $2.5 billion to cybercriminals, leading the nation in total losses and per-capita losses among similarly populated states.
Phishing/scamming accounted for approximately 193,000 of the complaints, while extortion, data breaches, and payment scams followed as significant threats.
To protect yourself from online scams, verify the sender's identity, avoid unsolicited links, use strong passwords, and research businesses before making purchases.
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