Computer related crimes have also increased, and we see crimes today that we have never seen before. Because this is relatively new we don’t have many solutions.
There has been some study done into this problem, and most of the information we have, has been provided by private security companies like Nickels private investigations and others. Many private security companies have done investigations, and found some solutions for risk management by large industry. As mentioned, these studies have given us solutions, but many of these have remained unpublished and are only focused on one particular area of technology.
The most popular high tech crime usually happens over the internet. The internet has opened up many different opportunities for hackers and scam artists and has caused new problems for law enforcement and professional investigations. What is so astounding is the size and the number of targets that can be found on the Internet. A thief can attack easily, quickly and at a low cost, and he can affect thousands of people at once. Victims may never know what hit them, who it was, or even know how to defend themselves against these attackers.
The most common types of computer related crimes involve credit card fraud. Most internet transactions are completed with credit cards and because the information goes over the internet, it becomes very easy for a criminal to get access to your credit card numbers. There are two ways criminals get access to your credit card, they steal it over the internet, or they use credit card number generating software.
Merchants are getting their sites more secure but Internet crime is on the rise and these criminals are finding new, more advanced methods of attacking. Ok, so you might think you will be safe if you just don’t use your credit card online. But we at Nickels private investigations, and other companies like ours, have found that most of the stolen credit card numbers used online actually come from credit cards used in physical stores. In fact, very few of them actually come from online. The problem is that any waitress, clerk, cashier, hostess, or customer service representative can pick up an old receipt, statement or number.
There are other ways to get a hold of credit card numbers using computer technology too. There is even free credit card generating software online that criminals can use to create valid credit card numbers. All a criminal has to do is use a free email account and a bogus address and he is able to make illegal purchases online.
Everyone needs to be aware of computer related crimes and keep personal information encrypted especially if you keep credit card information of clients or other people. If you believe you have been targeted then you should contact the Internet Fraud Complaint Center and report the crime.
The IFCC a division of the FBI deals with internet and computer related crimes. They aim to:
• Develop effective strategies that deal with Internet Fraud
• Reduce economic loss caused by internet fraud
• Identify Internet crime trends
• Track fraud and offer analyzes and support to law enforcement agencies.
Everyday you can read something new about computer related crimes. They are everywhere, and they are getting harder to catch. But that is not to say we as investigators are lost in this game.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.newworldproducts.org/Articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites