14 DAY TRIAL // The information stored and conducted in a report by the Internet Crime Complaint Center points out that online fraud of all kinds rose 22.3 percent between 2008 and 2009. The report also notes that credit card fraud made up about 10 percent of the total number of complaints referred to law enforcement. The results were published in a Washington Post article.
Apparently, the same source informs that, last year, companies and individuals lost over half a billion dollars to cyberthieves, and a significant share of that was Apple-related. If one has a minimum interest on how things work on the tech market, they might ask a common-sense question: why is Apple such an easy prey? According to Robert Vamosi, research analyst specialized in security, fraud and risk for market research firm Javelin Strategy & Research, the answer is linked with the fact that Apple’s business model gives thieves two possibilities to employ stolen credit card numbers.
The company’s main weak point is thought to be the price disparity between the United States and the rest of the world regarding selling its hardware products, the article further reports. Therefore, cybercroocks are playing with their favorite instruments, electronics, and use stolen credit cards to buy Apple products or other first-line electronic goods. The hoisted acquisitions are shipped to another country where they are sold through so-called mules, the report clarifies.
Discrepancies on different markets can be a markedly good jobbing for cyberthieves everywhere. Laptop prices in Brazil, for example, can be up to $1,200 higher than they are in the United States, a chart posted on the cmyplay blog notes.
Apple is exposed to scammers’ games once more while shopping through the iTunes App Store. When someone makes a small purchase, professional cyberthieves can get hundreds of credit numbers at once to use for their black market selling or buying.
“None of the major issuers or big banks would reveal how prevalent Apple-related credit-card scams are, but one bank rep did point out that computers and high-end electronics can be a magnet for thieves because of their resale value,” the article reveals citing security.
It is known that Apple is not the only targeted by cybercrooks as it isn’t the sole company dealing with electronic products. So, other renowned tech retailers are also in danger, the newspaper claims. Reportedly, the hotter the brand, the higher the probability to be scammed by thieves.
Moreover, as cyberthieves show no sign of slowing down their intentions, the source claims that Apple’s new tablet will play a leading role on the underground market for quite a while.