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Proxies are incredibly valuable tools that provide anonymity while you're online. They have a wide range of different uses, streamlining online processes and improving digital security whilst browsing the web.

Yet, this number of potential applications, requires that there be a range of different types of proxies, all with their particular benefits and capabilities. This means that, sometimes, it can be difficult to know what proxy is going to be best-suited to your needs. 

At Proxyrack, we've compiled this complete guide on the types of proxies so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

Proxy servers act as intermediary servers between a client and a website. Depending on the needs of the user, they provide varying levels of security, privacy, and functionality.

Imagine it as a middle-man between your computer’s IP address and the internet; any actions you perform, requests you make, or information you input on a website are handled by the proxy server on your behalf. In this sense, internet proxies operate in the same way as human proxies. Doing something “by proxy” involves us authorising another person to act in our place if we’re unable to for whatever reason (voting for political candidates is a prime example of this).

Ultimately, installing and using a proxy when browsing online allows users to mask their unique IP address which can be incredibly useful for many different reasons.

Learn more about what proxies are and how they work by reading our in-depth guide.

In the modern online world, security breaches are becoming increasingly common. These can be anything from the harvesting and distributing of personal email addresses for marketing purposes, to monitoring a person’s browsing history, all the way to hacking into online banking accounts and stealing potentially huge sums of money. 

One of the best ways to improve your security and prevent these things from happening 

 is to use a proxy web server. Proxies keep viruses and malware at bay, protect your data, and keep you anonymous.

Beyond security, proxy web servers also make your online experience better in general. They cache web pages to increase browsing speeds and allow you to access sites that would usually be restricted. This makes them incredibly helpful when someone is trying to transfer large amounts of data at once, such as when 

There are three main types of proxy servers that are commonly used. Each one is best for certain specific 

 and has its own unique features and pros and cons.

Residential proxies are linked to actual devices in cities and countries around the world. The IP addresses they use are provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) directly.

This means that a residential proxy server user is very hard to distinguish from a regular internet user. So, if you're looking for a fully anonymous proxy then a residential proxy server is an excellent choice.

 are linked to a single IP address meaning that each request you send will come from the same IP address. On the other hand, rotating residential proxy servers use a new IP address for each request they send.

One downside of residential proxy servers is that they tend to be more expensive than some other proxies. This is because the IPs need to be rented or bought from ISPs.

Proxyrack's residential proxies give you access to huge IP pools with over 2 million monthly IPs. Each residential proxy is a private proxy that doesn't come from public exit nodes. If you need anonymous proxies to improve your online experience, then try a residential proxy server from Proxyrack today.

 are different from residential ones in that they don't come from ISPs. They're hosted in data centers across the globe and are provided by third parties like web hosting services.

Datacenter proxies are very fast and they're usually cheaper than residential proxy servers. However, if you use them to perform traffic-intensive tasks there is more risk of them being detected. This is because they're not linked to real IP addresses.

This type of proxy server is useful for beating geo-restrictions and they make good 

 allow you to bypass restrictions - and ensure you always have the speed you need. You gain access to data center proxy servers in over 10 countries including the UK, USA, and Australia.

Mobile proxies are considered to be the hardest proxies to detect and block. They use IP addresses that are assigned by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

The main benefit of these IP addresses is that they're dynamic. This means that the address changes each time a user sends a request to the server. It makes them the perfect 

However, they do tend to be slower than both datacenter and residential proxy servers.

Reverse proxies protect internal resources by 'sitting' in front of one or more origin servers. When a user sends a request to the origin server it's intercepted by the reverse proxy.

The reverse proxy then sends and receives any requests to the origin server to prevent the user from having any communication with the origin server.

A transparent proxy, or inline proxy, uses the client's IP address to make requests. This means that the IP address of the user isn't actually disguised. These types of proxies are mainly used for caching to speed up access to frequently visited sites.

This type of proxy server is used to protect web servers and to give users anonymity online. When used as a forward proxy, it forwards HTTP requests to a target HTTP server. It can also be used in reverse to filter out spyware and viruses.

5 Things To Consider When Choosing A Proxy

VPNs are similar to proxies but they're not exactly the same. Rather than working with a single website or app, a VPN works with every website or app you use. Like proxies, VPNs hide your IP address. It's replaced with the IP address of the VPN provider.

Can a proxy server hide my internet activities from my ISP?

Yes, you can use a proxy to mask your internet activities and your browsing history from your Internet Service Provider.

Each type of proxy has its own unique qualities that make it ideal for specific uses. A residential proxy is perfect for web scraping and e-commerce. Datacenter proxies are best suited to gaming and website testing. Mobile proxies are great for beating geo-restrictions and staying completely anonymous.

Whatever your needs, Proxyrack can provide you with a proxy to satisfy them. Our proxies are fast, secure, and super reliable. Using a proxy from Proxyrack means enhancing your online experience without breaking the bank.

A Complete Guide To The Types Of Proxies

Which industries are seeing the biggest increase in fraudulent activity?

, we are now utilising technology in so many ways, and, because of this, it is more important than ever to stay safe online. The unfortunate truth is that most job sectors have fallen victim to fraud on one occasion or another.

With an estimated global loss of $3.6 billion in 2022 alone, there has been a sharp rise in fraudulent activity over recent years, but which industries have been affected the most? To answer this, we have delved into data from the last few years to find out about the current state of occupational fraud.

The transportation and warehousing industry has seen a 20.59% increase in fraud cases since 2016 – more than any other industry

No matter which industry you have ties to, there is a likelihood that fraud has been committed. Unfortunately, some industries have been impacted more than others in recent times – but which sectors have seen the biggest increase in fraudulent cases? Here’s what we found.

1. Transportation and Warehousing - 20.59% increase in fraudulent cases

The industry of transportation and warehousing takes the top spot in this list of sectors with the biggest increase in fraudulent cases. This industry covers a lot of important ground, including the transportation of cargo and passengers, and the storage of goods. Sadly, not everybody values the work that is done within this industry, as there has been a 20.59% increase in fraud cases between 2016 and 2022. Some common types of fraud in the transportation and warehousing industry include falsifying delivery documents and posing as an authentic carrier to help assist criminals to steal cargo loads.

2. Technology - 13.51% increase in fraudulent cases

With a 13.51% increase in fraudulent cases, the technology sector appears second on this list. With constant advancements in technology, we are now utilising it in more ways than ever, but unfortunately so are fraudsters. With a total of 84 fraudulent cases in 2022 it appears that people are finding innovative ways to outsmart computers. Recording fake sales transactions has become a known form of fraud in this industry which allows business scammers to inflate their sales figures.

3. Religious, Charitable, or Social Services - 11.54% increase in fraudulent cases

Completing this top three list of the industries that have seen the biggest increase in fraudulent cases between 2016-2022 is the sector of religious, charitable, or social services. People have been exploiting the kind nature of this industry by executing charity-based scams. As a result, this industry has been the subject of an 11.54% increase in fraudulent cases when comparing the number of cases in 2016 to those in 2022.

The real estate industry is losing the most money as a result of fraud, with a 117.50% change in financial losses since 2016

1. Real Estate - 117.50% increase in financial loss as a result of fraud

It is no secret that you can earn a lot of money in real estate, but it appears that you can also lose a lot if you are the victim of fraud in this industry. Between 2016 and 2022, there has been a 117.50% increase in financial loss when it comes to fraudulent activity in real estate. As more and more businesses are using the internet to promote their products, it is likely that website impersonation has enabled fraudsters to take money from innocent people, thus contributing to the $435,000 median financial loss in 2022.

2. Utilities - 96.08% increase in financial loss as a result of fraud

You may not even be aware, but the utility industry is a common place for fraudsters - evidenced by the 96.08% increase in financial losses since 2016. As the cost of living continues to increase, we have even more reason to save on utilities and bills. However, this has led people to fraudulently use another person’s name to purchase these services. The scope of fraudulent activity doesn't stop there though, as scammers in this industry have also been known to imitate firms in order to obtain payments from unsuspecting customers.

3. Transportation and Warehousing - 74.83% increase in financial loss as a result of fraud

The transport and warehousing industry was featured earlier in this fraud index, so it may come as no surprise that it is featured here too. As mentioned above, fraudulent activity can take many different forms within this industry, and this gives fraudsters more opportunities to make money. Bearing this in mind, the unfortunate truth is that this industry has been subject to a 74.83% increase in financial loss as a result of fraud in recent years.

64% of all fraud cases in the energy industry are the result of corruption - more than any other industry

‘Occupational Fraud: A Report to the Nations’

 it was revealed that corruption is the most common type of fraud across every one of the thirteen industries studied, but which have been affected the most by corruption? Here’s what we found.

1. Energy - Corruption makes up 64% of all fraud cases

64% of all 97 fraud cases in the energy sector were related to corruption, this is the highest percentage in any industry studied. Corruption within this industry often takes the form of energy sector officials giving out licenses or contracts in exchange for monetary bribes. As this is such an indispensable industry, it is a shame to see such high levels of corruption.

2. Manufacturing, Transportation and Warehousing - Corruption makes up 59% of all fraud cases

A total of 59% of all fraud cases in the manufacturing, transportation and warehousing industries are due to corruption. Both of these sectors are vulnerable to the effects of bribery in their respective industries, and this is evident by their second-place entry in this list.

The manufacturing sector relies on complex supply chains for which people need licences and permits. Even though these factors are put in place to ensure the safety of information and products, it has opened the door to a large number of corruption cases. In addition to this, the transportation and warehousing industry has featured earlier in this fraud index, and it is likely that there is a link between the high levels of corruption and financial loss.

With 625 fraudulent cases in 2022, the United States has the highest number of cases in the world

Whether you live in a big city or a farm town, fraud cases are everywhere - but which locations have been impacted the most? Below is a list of the countries with the highest number of fraudulent cases in 2022.

1. The United States - 625 fraudulent cases in 2022

As the third largest country by area and population, it seems that the United States is a hotspot when it comes to fraud. The US amassed a total of 625 fraudulent cases in 2022 alone which is more than any other country in the world. The US hit the headlines last year when James Zhong pled guilty to unlawfully obtaining over $3 billion in cryptocurrency. This case of web fraud is the largest financial seizure to have taken place in the US as of today.

2. South Africa - 188 fraudulent cases in 2022

Next on this list is South Africa which saw 188 cases of fraud in 2022 - the second highest in the world. Recently it was reported that over 60 members of staff at a bank in South Africa were charged with fraud after they were caught activating customer accounts improperly.. Although this may not have the same financial repercussions as some other fraud cases, they negatively impact the industry in question.

Completing this top three list of the countries with the highest number of fraudulent cases is Nigeria. Located in West Africa, this country has seen its fair share of fraud in the last year, totalling 61 cases throughout 2022. Similarly to the second-place entry on this list, the most reported cases of fraud in this country are related to banking fraud in which scammers attempt to make some quick cash.

 editions of ‘Occupational Fraud: A Report to the Nations to find the number of occupational fraud cases, median loss for each industry, the most common type of fraud for each industry, and the countries with the most fraud cases in 2022.

We took the number of fraudulent cases in 2016 and subtracted this number from the number of cases in 2022 before dividing this number by the 2022 total to calculate the percentage change in the number of cases between 2016-2022 for each industry.

Similarly, we took the median financial loss in 2016 and subtracted this number from the median financial loss in 2022 before dividing this number by the 2022 total to calculate the percentage change in median financial loss between 2016-2022 for each industry.

Industry Fraud Index

Almost every industry in the US’s modern economy involves technology in some way. Whether that’s using a 

 to connect yourself with different parts of the world, or simply using wireless earphones for your morning calls.

With this increasing reliance on technology in our day-to-day lives, more and more young people are beginning to pursue a career in the tech industry. That’s why we wanted to find out where they can enhance their chances of being successful. We’ve looked at employment, salaries, universities and broadband speed to crown one state as the tech capital of the US.

Massachusetts is the tech capital of the US, with a score of 8.5/10

We’ve looked at several factors, including employment, tech businesses, universities and internet speed, to crown a state as the tech capital of the US.

Taking the top spot is Massachusetts, with an overall tech score of 8.5/10. Other than its internet speed, Massachusetts ranks highly in all categories and is in the top five for five of the eight categories. Massachusetts also has the highest percentage of people in the tech industry.

Taking second place is Colorado with a tech score of 8.42/10. Apart from the broadband coverage, Colorado scores highly across the board, with the second-highest percentage of people employed in the tech industry and the fourth-highest number of tech business establishments per 100,000 people.

Completing our top three is Virginia, which has earned itself a tech score of 8.37/10. Despite poor broadband coverage, Virginia has a high internet speed and a high percentage of people in the tech industry. People in Virginia who are employed in the tech industry can also expect to earn 136% more than the state’s median salary.

California and New York have more tech universities than any other state with five

Going to a good university can set you up for a successful career in any industry you choose. That’s why we’ve looked at the states with the most tech universities.

California is one of two states to take the top spot with a total of five tech universities. California’s five tech universities are based in Arcata, Claremont, Pasadena, Pomona, and San Luis Obispo. Pasadena’s California Institute of Technology is ranked as the best of the five, sitting in 9th in the national university rankings.

Also with five universities is New York, which shares the top spot with California. New York’s tech universities are based in Potsdam, Utica, Troy, Henrietta, and Old Westbury. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the highest-ranked tech university, which sits 51st in the national university rankings.

Michigan takes third place with three tech universities. Flint, Southfield, and Houghton are the cities of Michigan’s tech universities. Michigan Technological University, based in Houghton, sits highest out of the state's tech universities, with a national university ranking of 151.

Maryland has faster internet than any other state in the US, with an average speed of 196mbps

There’s nothing more frustrating than buffering when you’re trying to work, play video games, or stream the latest series. That’s why we’ve looked into the average internet speed of every state in the US.

1. Maryland – 196.2 Mbps average internet speed

Maryland’s average internet speed is the fastest in the US at 196.2 Mbps. Not only is Maryland’s internet speed the fastest, but the broadband coverage is also one of the highest in the US at just over 95%. Although Maryland isn’t known for its rapid internet speed, it is known for its blue crabs which are commonly found in the Chesapeake Bay.

2. Virginia – 193.1 Mbps average internet speed

In second place is Virginia, with an average internet speed of 193.1 Mbps. Despite its fast internet speed, Virginia’s broadband coverage is quite low at just 84%, which is in the bottom half of states. Virginia is known as the ‘Mother of Presidents’, providing more Presidents than any other state.

3. New York – 190.5 Mbps average internet speed

Completing our top three is New York which has an average internet speed of 190.5 Mbps. New York’s broadband coverage is also the third highest in the US at 96.8%. Among New York’s worldwide fame, lies the headquarters of Kickstarter, which was one of Time’s top ten best inventions of 2010.

Massachusetts has more employees in the tech industry than any other state, with over 4,300 per 100,000

Getting a job in the tech industry can be hard. So we’ve looked at the states which are employing the most people in tech.

1. Massachusetts – 4,321 employed in the tech industry per 100,000

Taking the top spot is Massachusetts, with just over 4,300 employees in the tech industry per 100,000 people. Massachusetts has just under 308,000 people employed in the tech industry, which makes up 8.6% of the working population, the third highest in the US.

2. Washington – 4,219 employed in the tech industry per 100,000

Washington’s total of 4,219 people employed in the tech industry per 100,000 gives them second place in our list. Washington has more employees in the tech industry than Massachusetts, in first place, with a total of 333,000. This total makes up 9.4% of the working population, which is actually the highest percentage in the US.

3. Virginia – 4,013 employed in the tech industry per 100,000

Completing our top three is Virginia, with just over 4,000 people employed in the tech industry per 100,000. Virginia has a total of 350,000 people employed in the tech industry, which makes up 8.7% of the working population, the second highest in the US.

Almost 10% of Washington’s workforce is in the tech industry, the highest in the US

We wanted to find out which states have the highest percentage of its workforce working in the tech industry.

1. Washington – 9.4% of workforce employed in the tech industry

Washington takes the top spot with 9.4% of their workforce employed in the tech industry. Washington has over 330,000 people employed in the tech industry, which is spread across just 15,000 tech businesses. Not only does Washington have the highest percentage of people employed in tech, but the median salary here is also the highest in the US, at $124,000 a year. This is 147% higher than the state's median, which is the second highest in the US.

2. Virginia – 8.7% of workforce employed in the tech industry

In second place is Virginia, where the 350,000 people employed in the tech industry make up 8.7% of the workforce. Virginia’s total of people employed in tech is spread over just 20,000 tech businesses. However, Virginia’s median salary in tech is 136% higher than the state's median.

3. Massachusetts – 8.6% of workforce employed in the tech industry

Completing our top three is Massachusetts, with 8.6% of its workforce employed in the tech industry. There are over 300,000 people employed in the tech industry, which is spread over 15,000 tech businesses. Those working in the tech industry in this state can expect to earn almost double the median salary.

 for the average internet speed and broadband coverage. 

For the percentage of workforce in tech, the median tech salary, the percentage higher than the median state wage, net tech employment, and tech business establishments, we used 

District of Columbia was removed.We then used the 2022 population in each state from 

 to work out the number of tech business establishments per 100,000.

We put this data into a weighted table giving each factor a normalized score out of 10. We then took an average of these scores to get an overall score out of 10 which we used to rank each state.

District of Columbia was not included in the data.

U.S Tech States

In 2021, over $5 billion was lost in the U.S. alone as a result of fraud, with business-related fraud being one of the most common forms.

Business fraud can be committed by people both inside and outside a business and it can appear in many forms, such as fake job opportunities, pyramid schemes, data theft, and false accounting.

There are plenty of ways in which businesses can keep themselves and their information safe from fraudsters. For example, it’s important to create strong and unique passwords. You can also use a 

 and install antivirus software, for extra precaution.

However, even whilst taking all of these precautions, hackers, and fraudsters can still sometimes manage to gain the information they need. Both employees and employers are targeted by fraud every day within the U.S. That’s why, here at Proxyrack, we wanted to find out which states in the U.S. are the business fraud hotspots of 2022.

In the first three quarters of 2022, there were almost 1.7 million fraud reports filed. We’ve taken a look at which states have received the most fraud reports in 2022 in the following categories: business and job opportunities, investment fraud, and office supplies and services. We’ll also be providing you with some tips on how to keep you and your business safe from fraudulent incidents.

The U.S States with the Highest Number of Business & Job Opportunity Related Fraud Reports

Business and job opportunities refers to offers to start a new business, work-at-home plans (e.g stuffing envelopes or processing medical claims), multi-level marketing schemes, job scams, job listings, employment services, inventions, or idea promotions.

In the first three quarters of 2022, there were a total of 69,557 fraud reports relating to business and job opportunities, with approximately $250 million being lost as a direct cause of this. The most common form of fraud this year, for all people aged between 20-79, was business imposter fraud, with the 60-69 age group falling victim to this the most.

1. Nevada - 790 reports in total / 248 reports per 1 million people

Nevada is the state with the highest number of business and job opportunity-related fraud reports, with 248 reports per 1 million people and 790 reports in total.

In October this year, a Nevada resident pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining over $500,000 in Covid-19 relief loans, which were filed under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The 51-year-old resident submitted at least 11 loan applications, with two being successful. The applications indicated that the two organizations had numerous employees, significant payroll expenses and substantial revenue, however, this was not the case.

2. Maryland - 1,284 reports in total / 205.18 reports per 1 million people

The state with the second highest number of business and job opportunity-related fraud reports is Maryland, with 205.18 reports per 1 million people and 1,284 reports in total.

Similar to the previously mentioned case in Nevada, in November this year, a Maryland resident pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy, after unlawfully obtaining Covid-19 relief loans and unemployment benefits. The 25-year-old resident, alongside his co-conspirator, had created fictitious aliases by using the personal identification of real people, and used inoperative corporate organizations and new business entities with no actual business operations, in order to apply for PPP and EIDL loans, and unemployment benefits totaling over $750,000.

3. Florida - 4,443 reports in total / 201.17 reports per 1 million people

Florida has the third highest number of business and job opportunity-related fraud reports, with 201.17 reports per 1 million people and 4,443 reports in total.

In September of 2022, a Florida resident pleaded guilty to three cases involving paying and receiving unlawful illicit payments, healthcare fraud, and money laundering in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. In part of the complicated case that spanned multiple years, the 58-year-old businessman and two co-conspirators formed a company called OptimuMD and purchased a 3% interest in Executive Pharmacy. This meant that those involved were to receive up to 70% of the gross revenue from the pharmacy, as well as receiving kickbacks (illicit payments) for fraudulent prescriptions. The resident admitted to receiving over $4.2 million from the scheme.

The U.S States with the Highest Number of Investment Related Fraud Reports

Investment refers to opportunities in day trading, gold and gems, art, rare coins, companies that offer advice or seminars on investment, or other investment products.

In the first three quarters of 2022, investment-related fraud featured in the top three most common forms of fraud overall, with miscellaneous investments appearing in the top 10 most common forms of fraud in all age groups between 20-80+. Fraud reports relating to miscellaneous investments were the most common in the 30-39 age group, with 11,866 reports overall, totaling a loss of $22.02 million.

1. California - 9,376 reports in total / 234.43 reports per 1 million people

California is the state with the highest number of investment-related fraud reports, with 234.43 reports per 1 million people and 9,376 reports in total.

In August this year, a California resident was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to his connection to a nationwide investment scheme, which involved fraudulent wireless spectrum and dental franchise investments. The 70-year-old resident and his co-conspirators successfully deceived hundreds of retirement-age investors by convincing them to either invest in or send money to companies owned and controlled by the group of fraudsters. As a result of the fraudulent scheme, the victims suffered a total collective loss in excess of $20 million.

2. Nevada - 737 reports in total / 231.37 reports per 1 million people

The state with the second highest number of investment-related fraud reports is Nevada, with 231.37 reports per 1 million people and 737 reports in total.

In March this year, the FBI began searching for victims of a Ponzi scheme that had been operating in Nevada between 2017 and March 2022. The investment fraud scheme promised to return up to 13% within 90 days if victims invested either $80,000 or $100,000. It is thought that the majority of victims were introduced to the scheme in public places, such as churches and gyms.

3. Washington - 1,485 reports in total / 187.94 reports per 1 million people

Washington has the third highest number of investment-related fraud reports, with 187.94 reports per 1 million people and 1,485 reports in total.

In September this year, a former Washington resident faced a 25-count indictment for wire and securities fraud. Throughout the complex scheme, the 42-year-old used Twitter, press releases, securities filings, and claims of great wealth in order to convince marijuana business owners, private investors, and investors who purchased over-the-counter stock, to invest millions of dollars. He did this by creating a company that provided banking services to marijuana businesses in areas such as Washington, Colorado, and California. Between 2019 and 2021, he allegedly managed to receive money from three of these businesses, of which they lost approximately $3.7 million.

The U.S States with the Highest Number of Office Supplies & Services Related Fraud Reports

Office supplies and services refers to fraudulent or deceptive offers for items such as toner, copier paper, maintenance supplies, equipment maintenance contracts, classified advertising, and yellow page invoice scams, and website cramming schemes.

There were a total of 2,590 office-related fraud reports in the first three quarters of 2022, with 1,471 reports relating to directory listings and ad space, and 1,119 reports relating to supplies and services. The total loss reported due to office-related fraud in 2022 was $1.9 million.

1. Tennessee - 104 reports in total / 14.81 reports per 1 million people

Tennessee is the state with the highest number of office-related fraud reports, with 14.81 reports per 1 million people and 104 reports in total.

Back in 2019, there was a relatively high profile case of an office supplies-related scam, in which scammers rang various institutions claiming to be from office supply vendors, such as RJ Young. The scammers would tell the victims that there had been a cost increase to supplies, before offering the victim a considerable discount if they purchased items immediately. This led various institutions, such as Vanderbilt University in Nashville, to provide official warnings to its employees to be aware of the scam.

2. Alaska - 9 reports in total / 12.19 reports per 1 million people

The state with the second highest number of office-related fraud reports is Alaska, with 12.19 reports per 1 million people and nine reports in total.

In the past, there have been some large scale office related scams in Alaska, including the scam dubbed “Toner Phoners”. The scam involved an initial phone call from someone claiming to be from the company Xerox, telling the victim that the price of their toner had increased, but that they would be honoring the original price and someone would be calling them about their invoice promptly. The victim would then receive a second phone call from another individual asking for their email address in order to send the invoice over. It was later discovered that many companies in Alaska had been victims of the scam, with some agreeing to pay the fake invoice.

3. Montana - 12 reports in total / 10.88 reports per 1 million people

Montana has the third highest number of office-related fraud reports, with 10.88 reports per 1 million people and 12 reports in total.

In 2018, many businesses in Montana were victims of a yellow pages scam. Owners of businesses would receive a fake invoice in the mail, which featured the yellow pages logo and some contact information. The invoice would state that the company owes $500 and that the payment was already overdue, and therefore needed to be paid in order for their credit score to remain in good standing. If the fake invoice was paid, the business would then be hounded with further invoices in the mail and receive threatening phone calls.

10 Tips On How to Keep Your Business Safe From Fraud

Unfortunately, every business is at risk of falling victim to a fraud attack. This is due to the fact that there are so many different forms of fraud.

It’s important to realize that fraud can be committed by employees, customers, suppliers, and third parties which have no connection to the business.

Fraud can seem very complicated and hard to understand for some people, particularly because fraudulent criminals can have a lot of skills, tools, and techniques that the majority of people would find confusing and can’t even begin to understand.

There is no single solution that will allow you to escape fraudulent attacks. However, there are multiple precautions that you can take to minimize the chance of this happening. Here are ten top tips on how you can keep yourself and your business safe from fraud.

When you own and/or run your own business, it’s perfectly plausible to be skeptical about aspects of your business. In fact, it’s important to question things. Whether it’s a potential contract deal or opportunity, a new transaction, or an important document, be very thorough when checking through these things, and don’t be afraid to question people, in order to ensure that things are legitimate.

2.Make sure you know your business from the inside out

It’s also important to ensure that you have a thorough and genuine understanding of all aspects of your business, including how it operates, the staff you employ, who your target market is, the products and/or services that you provide, and all of your legal and regulatory obligations as a business. The more information that you know, the more familiar you will be with each aspect of your business. This will then allow you to be able to pick up on unusual activity more often.

3. Identify any potentially vulnerable areas within your business

When it comes to identifying potentially vulnerable areas, it’s a good idea to put yourself in the scammer's shoes. What information do they want/need? Where would they find this information? How would they access it? Once you have identified these areas, it’s important to ensure that they are protected and not easy to access. Ensure that all of these areas and the systems that are protecting them, are regularly checked and updated.

4. Protect your business against cyber attacks

With the advancement of technology in recent years, it’s essential to ensure that your business is protected from cyber attacks as much as possible. For example, as previously mentioned, some precautions that you can take include using a residential proxy, installing antivirus software, and creating strong and unique passwords. It’s also important to regularly back up all of your data, systems, and software.

U.S Business Fraud Report

Everyone knows the importance of staying safe online. Amongst all the great things that the internet has brought us, it has also presented opportunities for hackers and scammers to make an illegitimate living.

There are many things you can do to stay safe online, such as using a 

 and installing anti-virus software. Despite these techniques, in the United States alone, there was a total loss of $18.7 billion, which shows just how dangerous the online world can be.

That’s why we wanted to find out the states and countries that are most at risk from cybercrime, as well as the states which have lost the most money to cybercrime. We also wanted to find out which types of cybercrime were the most common.

We’ve calculated the number of victims per 100,000 people to find out the U.S. states that are most at risk of cybercrime.

1. Nevada—556 victims of cybercrime per 100,000

In first place, with twice as many victims as any other state, is Nevada with 556 victims per 100,000 of the population. Nevada had a total of 17,706 victims of cybercrime during the 2021 year, which was the sixth highest out of all the U.S. states.

2. Iowa—275 victims of cybercrime per 100,00

In second place is Iowa, with 275 victims of cybercrime per 100,000 people in the state. The population in Iowa is actually marginally higher than in Nevada, however, Iowa’s total of 8,853 victims is less than half of that in Nevada.

3. Alaska—242 victims of cybercrime per 100,000

Completing our top three, with 242 victims of cybercrime per 100,000, is Alaska. There were a total of 1,787 cases of cybercrime in Alaska, which was almost 10 times smaller than Nevada in first place. However, Alaska has one of the smallest populations in the U.S. which explains its high ranking.

Most Common Types of Cyber Crime in the US

Cybercrime comes in all different forms. That’s why we wanted to find out the types of cybercrime that are most prevalent in the U.S.

1. Phishing/Vishing/Smishing/Pharming - 323,972 victims

Four different types of cybercrime take first place here, however, all four types of cybercrime have the same objective. Phishing is a form of cybercrime that encourages you to reveal personal and sensitive information, through a fraudulent message. Vishing is the same but through phone calls, smishing is through social media, and pharming is directing you to a fake website that will install a virus onto your device. There were 323,972 victims of these cyber attacks, who lost a combined total of $44 million.

2. Non-Payment/Non-Delivery - 82,478 victims

In second place, with 82,478 victims, is non-payment/non-delivery scams. This is where you either buy a product from a fraudulent seller, for the product not to be delivered, or you sell and deliver a product, only to not receive payment. Despite fewer victims, $337m was lost through these scams.

Personal data breaches complete our top three, with almost 52,000 victims during 2021. Personal data breaches include someone going into a device, such as a phone or a computer, and accessing sensitive information without your permission. Out of our top three, personal data breaches were the most costly, with a combined loss of $517m.

States That Have Lost the Most Money to Cyber Crime

Cybercrime can often cost you a lot of money. That’s why we’ve looked at the combined amount lost from each state as a result of cybercrime.

1. California—$1.23 billion lost from cybercrime

California takes the top spot, with twice as much lost from cybercrime than any other state. More than $1.2 billion was lost due to cybercrime, in the state of California, where there were 67,000 victims. This equates to an average loss per victim of just over $18,000.

2. Texas—$606.2 million lost from cybercrime

In second place is Texas, with over $606 million lost from cybercrime in 2021. There were a total of 41,148 victims of cybercrime in Texas in 2021, which was the third highest on our list. This averages to $14,000 lost per victim in Texas.