By the Stats: Internet Most Fertile Ground for Fraud

Internet-related complaints comprised 53 percent of all fraud complaints processed in 2004, according to a report issued in February by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Other statistics reported by the agency:

¥ Online and offline identity theft accounted for 39 percent of the 635,173 fraud complaints filed in 2004.

¥ Internet auctions accounted for 16 percent of complaints.

¥ Shop-at-home and catalog sales accounted for 8 percent of complaints.

¥ Losses due to Internet fraud amounted to $265 million.

¥ In 35 percent of all fraud cases, victims were initially contacted via e-mail.

For more information, visit www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/02/top102005.htm.