The recent release of the Internet Crime Complaint Center's annual Internet Crime Report highlights that Cybercriminals (are alive and well as they) continue to take advantage of individuals and businesses during this pandemic. According to the report, in 2020, the IC3 received over 28,500 complaints related to COVID-19.
Many of us find ourselves working from home- most likely multitasking with childcare, video conferences, package deliveries, etc. Although we have these ongoing distractions, we must stay alert and not fall victim to cybercrimes by blindly clicking on email links and/or providing PII over the phone to fraudsters.
Fraudsters took the opportunity to exploit the pandemic to target both businesses and individuals. The IC3 received thousands of complaints reporting emerging financial crime revolving around CARES Act stimulus funds, specifically targeting unemployment insurance, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and Small Business Economic Injury Disaster Loans, as well as other COVID-related fraud.
https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2020_IC3Report.pdf
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