When they put it online in May 2000, the FBI probably never dreamed that by November 2010, its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) would have taken 2 million complaints from consumers alleging online criminal activity.
Created jointly by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, the IC3 refers cyber crime complaints entered by consumers to local, state, federal, and international law enforcement agencies.
It took the seven years, from May 2000, until June 11, 2007, for the IC3 to take its first 1 million complaints, but only half that time to receive the 2 millionth complaint. The FBI attributes the rapid growth in complaints to IC3's increased visibility and the public's growing awareness of internet crime.
Of the 2 million reports it has received, the IC3 has referred 757,016 criminal complaints to law enforcement agencies worldwide. Most complaints referred by IC3 involve cases of online fraud resulting in a financial loss. The total reported loss from these referrals was approximately $1.7 billion through 2009, with a median reported loss of more than $500 per complaint.
Also high on the IC3's "hit list" are complaints from consumers involving identity theft and online shopping scams resulting in unauthorized use of credit cards or bank accounts.
Before filing a complaint through the IC3, the FBI suggests consumers read these requirements and IC3 Frequently Asked Questions.
Also See:
How to Recognize Email ID Theft Threats
Online Holiday Shopping Scams
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