Cyber Crime On The Rise

According to a survey by Deloitte LLP, 94% of people use their computer daily. It is understandable why computer crimes are now almost the number one crime in the nation. Where there are opportunities to make money there will always be opportunities for criminals to cash in on scams. E-commerce is foretold to be a 75 billion industry this year.*

Although the crimes in the survey included all types: exploitation of children, business fraud and identity theft, 70% of people who felt they had been victimized by a crime did not report it. Part of the reason for this is they don’t know where to report it. Fortunately, in Canada, there is a new priority to set up a dedicated centre that will be focused on cyber crime. The Canadian Association of Police Boards commissioned the survey.

For those of us interested in making money online, the information is a reminder to stick with businesses that have good reputations and are not suspiciously easy. Always check the reputation of any business you intend to pursue. There are way too many mirror sites that promise big money and deliver nothing but cost.

For a list of resources to check a business out and to report scams, see my archived article, 03/09/08 - 03/16/08 (Online Review - How To Make Money Online).

* Sherri Zickefoose, The Calgary Herald, May 22, 2008