Online fraud in America

Trends, detection, and the role of domain data in 2023-2024

Online fraud is hitting businesses and individuals harder than ever. In 2023 alone, cybercrime surged in the U.S., with over 5.39 million complaints filed, and nearly half of those were fraud-related. It’s clear that detecting and preventing these scams is more critical than ever. Let’s take a look at how online fraud is evolving in 2023-2024, and how data from domains can play a role in spotting these scams before they cause damage.

The Current State of Online Fraud in the U.S. (2023-2024):

• Increase in cybercrime

More Cybercrime The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that cybercrime is on the rise, and fraud-related losses reached $10 billion in 2023. Scams like fake investments and impersonation schemes were among the most common. The FBI’s Internet Crime Report also shows a 10% jump in cases from 2022 to 2023 (Federal Trade Commission) (III).

• Key types of online fraud

Phishing and social engineering. Scammers trick people into giving up sensitive info by pretending to be legitimate through fake emails or websites.

Financial fraud. Credit card theft, fake transactions, and identity theft make up 19% of cybercrime complaints.

E-commerce fraud. Fake online stores and schemes targeting shoppers have been increasing, adding to financial losses (III).

How domain data helps detect malicious actors:

1. DNS (Domain Name System) Info Looking at DNS data helps security experts find dangerous websites that could be used for phishing or spreading malware. By checking this data against blacklists, they can spot patterns that suggest a site is suspicious.
2. IP addresses and geolocation IP Addresses & Locations Tracking the IP addresses tied to fake websites or phishing can help trace where scammers are operating from. This data can also show whether a domain is part of a larger, known network of scammers.
3. Domain registration details Information about who owns a domain or when it was registered can offer clues. Cybercriminals often hide behind privacy-protected registrations or frequently change the domain owner to avoid being caught.
4. Domain history and changes Monitoring the history of a domain, including changes in ownership, hosting providers, or DNS records, can alert companies to potential threats. Domains that show frequent changes in a short time are often indicators of fraudulent activity.

How Domain Crawler helps detect online fraud:

Domain Crawler offers businesses access to in-depth domain and IP data, allowing them to:

• Track suspicious domains. Real-time monitoring can alert organizations to new domains tied to fraud.
• Analyze domain registration patterns. By studying domain registrations, companies can spot trends and block fraud before it escalates.
• Strengthen cybersecurity defenses. Detailed insights help businesses block harmful websites and improve overall protection.

The Bottom Line

In 2023-2024, online fraud is still a big issue in the U.S., with billions lost to scams. Data from DNS records, IP addresses, and domain registrations can provide critical clues to catch scammers. Using tools like Domain Crawler can give businesses the advantage they need to stay ahead of online threats in this innovative digital sector.