Online scams are a growing problem, with millions of people around the world falling victim to them every year. According to recent statistics from various sources, in 2020 62% of reported scams were attempted online or via smartphones and caused an estimated loss of $1.9 billion in the U.S., while over 4.8 million consumers reported being victims of online scams globally that same year.
Additionally, 57% of global scam victims were targeted through email and 66% lost money as a result; 37% involved retail sites and social media while 30%, phishing attacks; 80+ percent used COVID-19 themes for their attempts; 60% targeted those aged 25-34 in the UK; 32 % involved nonpayment for goods purchased online; 55+ percent encountered at least one type of scam worldwide during 2020 ; 50 % affected those 40 years old or above ; average losses per instance amounted to $5,800 USD , 84 % more impersonation cases occurred due to pandemic related issues resulting on 58 million dollars lost by US citizens alone . Finally 2021 saw nearly 37000 reports regarding government imposter schemes leading up 200 million dollar losses associated with dating frauds .
Online Scam Statistics Overview
“In 2020, over 4.8 million U.S consumers reported being victims of online scams.”
This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams in the U.S. It highlights the need for greater awareness and education about the dangers of online scams, as well as the importance of taking steps to protect oneself from becoming a victim.
“57% of global scam victims in 2020 were targeted via email.”
This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of email scams in 2020, highlighting the need for individuals to remain vigilant when it comes to online security. It is a clear indication that email remains a primary target for scammers, and that people should be aware of the potential risks associated with opening emails from unknown sources.
“In 2019, 37% of reported online scams targeted retail sites and social media.”
This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams targeting retail sites and social media. It highlights the need for increased vigilance when engaging with these platforms, as well as the importance of staying informed about the latest online scam trends.
“In September 2020, 30% of online scams were phishing attacks.”
This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of phishing attacks in the online world. It serves as a warning to all internet users to be vigilant and take extra precautions when engaging in online activities. It also highlights the importance of staying informed about the latest online scams and taking steps to protect oneself from becoming a victim.
“Over 80% of attacks in 2020 used COVID-19 themes in online scam attempts.”
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of online scams in the age of COVID-19. It highlights the need for vigilance and caution when engaging with online content, as malicious actors are increasingly leveraging the pandemic to target unsuspecting victims.
“In 2020, 60% of online scams targeted people aged 25-34 in the UK.”
This statistic is a stark reminder that young adults in the UK are particularly vulnerable to online scams. It highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the dangers of online scams, particularly among those aged 25-34. It also serves as a warning to those in this age group to be extra vigilant when engaging in online activities.
“In 2020, the top 5 states affected by online scams in the U.S were California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania.”
This statistic is a powerful indicator of the prevalence of online scams in the United States. It shows that these five states are particularly vulnerable to online scams, and that the problem is widespread across the country. This information is essential for anyone looking to stay informed about the latest online scam trends and how to protect themselves from becoming a victim. It also serves as a reminder that online scams are a real threat and that everyone should take the necessary steps to protect themselves.
“In 2020, research found that more than 55% of people globally encountered at least one type of online scam.”
This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams in today’s digital world. It highlights the need for individuals to be aware of the potential risks associated with online activities and to take the necessary steps to protect themselves. It also serves as a call to action for organizations to continue to develop and implement measures to combat online scams.
“In 2019, 50% of online scams involved people aged 40 and above.”
This statistic is a stark reminder that online scams are not just a problem for the young and inexperienced, but that people of all ages are vulnerable to them. It highlights the need for everyone to be aware of the risks of online scams and to take steps to protect themselves.
“In 2020, the average loss per instance of an online scam was $5,800.”
This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the financial damage that online scams can cause. It highlights the importance of being vigilant and taking steps to protect oneself from becoming a victim of online scams. It also serves as a warning to those who may be considering engaging in online scams, as the potential losses can be significant.
“In 2021, online impersonation scams soared by 84% during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of online impersonation scams during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the need for increased vigilance and awareness of the risks associated with online activities, especially during times of crisis. The 84% increase in online impersonation scams is a clear indication that scammers are taking advantage of the pandemic to target unsuspecting victims. This statistic is a powerful reminder that online scams are a real and growing threat, and that we must remain vigilant in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
“In 2020, over 60% of online scams originated from Asia, with China accounting for approximately 30% of all scam attempts.”
This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams originating from Asia, particularly China. It highlights the need for increased vigilance when it comes to online security, as well as the need for more effective measures to combat the growing problem of online scams. It also serves as a warning to those who may be unaware of the potential risks associated with online transactions, and the importance of taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves.
“30% of Americans exposed to an online scam were manipulated by the scam, either by falling for it or helping to spread it.”
This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams and the potential for them to be successful. It highlights the need for people to be aware of the risks associated with online scams and to take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims. It also serves as a warning to those who may be tempted to spread online scams, as they could be inadvertently helping to spread the scam and putting others at risk.
Conclusion
The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the prevalence and cost of online scams. In 2020, 62% of reported scams were attempted online or via smartphones, resulting in an estimated loss of $1.9 billion for U.S consumers alone. Over 4.8 million people reported being victims of these scams with 57% targeted through email phishing attacks and 66% losing money as a result.
Additionally, 37% involved retail sites and social media while 30% were phishing attempts using COVID-19 themes to lure unsuspecting victims into their traps – increasing by nearly 60%. Furthermore, over 80 percent used COVID-19 related themes during 2020 with 60 percent targeting those aged 25-34 years old in the UK; 32 percent involving nonpayment for goods; 55 percent encountering at least one type scam globally; 50 percent targeting those 40+ years old in 2019; average losses per instance reaching $5,800 USD worldwide that year; 84 % increase from January 2021 onwards due to pandemic conditions ;37000 reports leading to 58 million dollar loss within US borders only due to government imposter schemes & 200 million dollars lost collectively by American citizens because of dating frauds . It is clear that online scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and successful each year – making it more important than ever before for individuals around the world to be aware of potential threats when browsing on digital platforms
References
0. – https://www.www.microsoft.com
1. – https://www.www.consumer.ftc.gov
2. – https://www.www.zdnet.com
3. – https://www.dataprot.net
4. – https://www.uk.finance.yahoo.com
5. – https://www.www.helpnetsecurity.com
6. – https://www.www.consumerreports.org
7. – https://www.www.statista.com
8. – https://www.www.scamwatch.gov.au
9. – https://www.www.infosecurity-magazine.com
10. – https://www.www.self.inc
11. – https://www.www.barclays.co.uk
ZipDo, cited June 2023: Online Scam Statistics
