The Impact of Cyber Crime

Data from 2024 shows:

  • 214,000 cyber crimes reported.
  • Estimated cost to UK individuals: £3.1bn per year.
  • Due to increased online shopping during the pandemic, phone fraud rose by 83%.
  • Organisations reported 14,600 cyber attacks, leading to £773m in financial losses.

Types of Online Attacks

  • Data Breaches
  • Phishing Attacks
  • Ransomware Attacks
  • Identity Theft
  • Online Fraud

Consequences of Online Crime

  • Financial Loss:
    • Direct loss of money.
  • Emotional Impact:
    • Increased anxiety and stress.
  • Debt:
    • Potential accumulation of debt.
  • Credit Score Reduction:
    • Affecting future financial opportunities.

What to do if you spot a scam:

  1. Major email and social media platforms allow scam reporting.
  2. Reporting scams helps protect others – don’t just ignore them.
  3. Most social media platforms let you report users via their profile.
  4. Email providers offer reporting options, and you can also report scams to the National Cyber Security Centre.

If you suspect you are a target of an online scam, report it immediately. Most major email providers and social media platforms have mechanisms to report scams. You can also report directly to the National Cyber Security Centre.