Hacktivist: A computer hacker whose activity is aimed at promoting a social or political cause.
Harassment/Threats of Violence: Harassment occurs when a perpetrator uses false accusations or
statements of fact to intimidate a victim. Threats of Violence refers to an expression of an intention to
inflict pain, injury, or punishment, which does not refer to the requirement of payment.
Health Care Related: A scheme attempting to defraud private or government health care programs
which usually involving health care providers, companies, or individuals. Schemes may include offers
for fake insurance cards, health insurance marketplace assistance, stolen health information, or various
other scams and/or any scheme involving medications, supplements, weight loss products, or
diversion/pill mill practices. These scams are often initiated through spam email, Internet
advertisements, links in forums/social media, and fraudulent websites.
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit: The illegal theft and use of others’ ideas, inventions, and creative
expressions – what’s called intellectual property – everything from trade secrets and proprietary
products and parts to movies, music, and software.
Identity Theft: Someone steals and uses personal identifying information, like a name or Social
Security number, without permission to commit fraud or other crimes and/or (Account Takeover) a
fraudster obtains account information to perpetrate fraud on existing accounts.
Investment: Deceptive practice that induces investors to make purchases on the basis of false
information. These scams usually offer the victims large returns with minimal risk. (Retirement, 401K,
Ponzi, Pyramid, etc.).
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance: An Individual is contacted about winning a lottery or sweepstakes
they never entered, or to collect on an inheritance from an unknown relative.
Malware/Scareware/Virus: Software or code intended to damage, disable, or capable of copying itself
onto a computer and/or computer systems to have a detrimental effect or destroy data.
Misrepresentation: Merchandise or services were purchased or contracted by individuals online for
which the purchasers provided payment. The goods or services received were of a measurably lesser
quality or quantity than was described by the seller.
Non-Payment/Non-Delivery: In non-payment situations, goods and services are shipped, but payment
is never rendered. In non-delivery situations, payment is sent, but goods and services are never
received.
Personal Data Breach: A leak/spill of personal data which is released from a secure location to an
untrusted environment. Also, a security incident in which an individual’s sensitive, protected, or
confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen or used by an unauthorized individual.
Phishing/Vishing/Smishing/Pharming: The use of unsolicited email, text messages, and telephone
calls purportedly from a legitimate company requesting personal, financial, and/or login credentials.
Ransomware: A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until money
is paid.
Re-shipping: Individuals receive packages at their residence and subsequently repackage the
merchandise for shipment, usually abroad.