Online scams: Complaints on the rise, with Veneto the fourth most affected region.

Online fraud continues to pose a growing challenge in Italy, ranking as the second most reported crime after theft.

In 2023, reports exceeded 300,000, a 10.3% increase over the previous year. This alarming increase is intrinsically linked to the country's pervasive digitalization, with over 90% of the population now constantly online. The data emerges from a synthesis by truffa.net of statistics from Istat, Confartigianato, and Il Sole 24 Ore. Within the national panorama of cyber fraud, the regional analysis highlights a particularly encouraging figure for the province of Belluno. Despite ranking among the top 20 provinces in terms of overall incidence (678.58 reports per 100,000 inhabitants), Belluno clearly stands out for having seen the lowest growth in online scams, with a modest 10% increase between 2019 and 2023. This data makes it a virtuous example in a national scenario of double-digit growth, but also at the local level, where it beats Verona in fourth place (+125.5%) and the regional average, which sees Veneto settle in fourth place. Only Tuscany, Piedmont, and Lombardy fare worse.

The most common scams nationwide continue to be phishing, smishing, and vishing, accounting for 55% of all reported cases (over 160,000). Marketplace scams, which exploit deceptive online offers, follow at 20% (60,000 cases). The constant evolution of these techniques makes it crucial for citizens to develop a strong awareness of digital risks. Despite the overall increase in threats, Italy maintains a strong global position in terms of cybersecurity preparedness, ranking fifth in the National Cyber ​​Security Index. The Belluno case reinforces the idea that, even in the face of advanced digital crime, positive results can be achieved by containing the growth of scams. Its experience can serve as a model for other provinces in implementing more effective strategies to protect citizens in an increasingly connected era.