2001 Fraud Statistics

Scams perpetrated on online auctions remain the top Internet fraud for 2001, though down 8 percent from last year. The fasted growing online scam is Nigerian money offers, up 900 percent in 2001.

Top Internet Frauds, 1999-2001

Methods of Contact

     Web sites are still the most common way that consumers are solicited for fraudulent Internet offers, but the statistics reveal an increase in the number of initial contacts made by con artists in emails. In some of the most frequently reported Internet frauds, many of the offers came by email: 97 percent of Nigerian money offers; 24 percent of work-at-home schemes; 28 percent of bogus credit card offers; and 36 percent of fraudulent business opportunities and franchises.  

   Methods of Contact for All Internet Fraud, 1999-2001

Money Lost

     The amount of money consumers are losing to Internet fraud is increasing. Losses overall are $6,152,070, up from $3,387,530 in 2000. 

Total Amount Lost for All Internet Fraud, 1999-2001

The average loss per person rose from $427 in 2000 to $518 in 2001. 

Per-Person Loss for All Internet Fraud, 1999-2001

There are significant differences in the per-person averages for each category.

Average Loss Per Person in Top Fraud Categories, 1999-2001

Payment Methods

Though consumers are using their credit cards more online, money orders are still the most common way Internet fraud victims paid for their products or services. Some categories showed a large increase in credit cards for payments, while others such as Nigerian money offers continued to show bank account debits and wire services as the most common way to pay. 

  Payment Methods for All Internet Fraud, 1999-2001

Payment Methods in Top Fraud Categories, 2000-2001

 

2001			2000
Online Auctions			Online Auctions
Money Order	34%		Money Order	48%
Credit Card	27%		Credit Card	6%
Check	18%		Check	32%
Debit Card	6%		Debit Card	1%
Bank Debit	5%		Bank  Debit	1%
Cashier's Check	4%		Cashier's Check	7%
Cash	4%		Cash	3%
Wire	2%		Wire	1%
General Merchandise Sales			General  Merchandise Sales
Credit Card	41%		Credit Card	28%
Money Order	20%		Money Order	25%
Check	15%		Check	24%
Debit Card	7%		Debit Card	5%
Bank Debit	5%		Bank Debit	2%
Wire	4%		Wire	4%
Cashier's Check	3%		Cashier's Check	5%
Cash	3%		Cash	3%
Nigerian Money Offers			Nigerian Money Offers
Bank Debit	70%		Bank Debit	100%
Wire	20%		Wire	0%
Credit Card	10%		Credit Card	0%
Computer Equipment Software			Computer Equipment Software
Credit Card	38%		Credit Card	27%
Money Order	18%		Money Order	24%
Check	14%		Check	22%
Debit Card	9%		Debit Card	0%
Bank Debit	7%		Bank Debit	5%
Wire	6%		Wire	13%
Cashier's Check	5%		Cashier's Check	8%
Internet Access Services			Internet Access Services
Credit Card	50%		Credit Card	37%
Bank Debit	19%		Bank Debit	13%
Debit Card	9%		Debit Card	9%
Check	9%		Check	14%
Money Order	5%		Money Order	7%
Telephone Bill	4%		Telephone Bill	15%
Wire	2%		Wire	2%

Ages of Consumers

Over half of Internet fraud victims in 2001 were under 40, which is consistent with the average age of all Internet users (30).  

Ages of Complainants, 1999-2001

Ages	2001	2000	1999
Under 20	4%	2%	2.3%
20-29	26%	20%	19%
30-39	28%	28%	29%
40-49	24%	29%	28%
50-59	13%	15%	15%
60-69	4%	6%	4%
70+	1%	1%	0.7%

 
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