CYBER CROOKS CASHING IN AS MORE BANK ONLINE
CRIME targeting people banking over the phone or online has rocketed by 68 per cent in one year.
Computer hacking offences also soared by 30 per cent compared to 2019.
The Office for National Statistics said cyber criminals infected more computers as people worked, shopped and socialised at home.
It revealed that “remote banking” fraud rose by two-thirds in the year to December, with 73,640 crimes detected by Action Fraud.
However, overall crime was down by eight per cent in England and Wales with offences falling from 6.1 million to 5.6 million in 12 months. The ONS said it was driven by “substantial falls” of 15 per cent between April and June last year as the first lockdown restrictions began.
But online crime is bucking the overall trend. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Wednesday that 80 schools, colleges and universities were
hit by ransomware attacks – where computer files are locked in exchange for payment – delaying the return to face-to-face teaching.
Home Secretary Priti Patel also said more firms and groups are being targeted by ruthless online crooks.
Analysis by the ONS revealed: “Data from Action Fraud showed a 38 per cent increase in ‘online shopping and auctions’ fraud in the latest year (86,984 offences), which could be accounted for by the increase in online shopping because of the
closure of shops during national lockdown restrictions.”
Action Fraud reported 29,651 hackings – classified as Computer Misuse – excluding online fraud.
Hacking of social media and email rose by 26 per cent with an increase in offences from 11,101 to 14,004 while computer viruses and malware went up by a third from 5,536 to 7,192 offences.
Data breaches included breaking email and password combinations, enabling the hacking of social media and email accounts, particularly where the same password was used for multiple accounts.
Robin Knox, chief executive of smart home security company boundary.co.uk, said: “What these figures are likely tell us is that there is going to be an increase in burglaries once the various lockdowns are over and people start leaving their homes more often.
“The number of burglars out there likely hasn’t changed, but their opportunities have been taken away. Once these opportunities arise once more, the desperate will resume old ways.”
Crime figures also showed that theft from the person fell 42 per cent, shoplifting by 29 per cent, burglary 24 per cent and vehicle offences were down 21 per cent.
The ONS said: “Theft offences are driving the reduction in the overall police-recorded crime. This fall was most likely the result of lockdown restrictions, with fewer shops being open and people spending more time in their homes.”