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Concern grows over cyber crime

A new report has revealed the growing problem posed by cyber crooks after stating spam, scams and other internet consumer abuses are on the rise, according to MercuryNews.com.

According to the report presented to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 2007 saw California receive 8,622 individual complaints of internet-related fraud, a figure almost twice as high as New York, which was in second place.

Incidents of possible Identity theft, spam, spyware and phishing or e-mail scams registered the highest number of complains with 5,629 reports recorded.

According to the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Center for American Progress, who authored the report, the figures are conservative as many times consumers are normally unaware they have been victims of cyber crime.

"The states and the FTC have limited resources, but this problem is getting worse over time," revealed Reece Rushing, director of regulatory policy at the Center for American Progress.

Half of internet users avoid making online purchases out of fear of cyber crime, according to a survey by the Cyber Security Industry Alliance.

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