Illinois Ranks 5th Nationally for Cyber Crime Complaints, Loses $535M in 2025

FBI report shows Illinois' cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the need for greater public awareness.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:04pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single cracked and damaged computer keyboard key, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the impact of cybercrime.A damaged computer keyboard key symbolizes the financial and operational toll of cybercrime incidents across Illinois.Chicago Today

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center annual report, Illinois ranked 5th in the nation for cyber crime complaints in 2025, logging 32,977 complaints that resulted in $535 million in reported losses, up from $479 million in 2024. Nationwide, cyber-enabled crimes cost Americans nearly $21 billion last year, up from $16.6 billion in 2024.

Why it matters

Illinois' high ranking highlights the state's vulnerability to cyber threats, which stem from its large population and varying levels of cybersecurity practices across businesses, government agencies, and individuals. This underscores the need for greater public awareness and improved cybersecurity measures to protect against growing cyber-enabled crimes.

The details

Carrie Crot, a supervisory special agent in the FBI's Chicago office, said Illinois' high ranking is due in part to its large population and the varying levels of cybersecurity hygiene across businesses, government agencies, and individuals. Common scams include investment fraud and real estate schemes where criminals insert themselves into transactions and redirect escrow or purchase funds, often starting with phishing emails or messages.

  • In 2025, Illinois logged 32,977 cyber crime complaints.
  • In 2025, reported losses from cyber-enabled crimes in Illinois totaled $535 million, up from $479 million in 2024.
  • Nationwide, cyber-enabled crimes cost Americans nearly $21 billion in 2025, up from $16.6 billion in 2024.

The players

Carrie Crot

A supervisory special agent in the FBI's Chicago office who commented on Illinois' high ranking for cyber crime complaints.

FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center

The organization that published the annual report showing Illinois' ranking and losses from cyber-enabled crimes.

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What they’re saying

“'Illinois being in the top 10 just due to the population and, of course, the cybersecurity hygiene of business owners, government agencies. No matter what your title or your organization may be, everybody's vulnerable to a cyber incident.'”

— Carrie Crot, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Chicago

What’s next

The FBI has launched Operation Winter Shield, a public awareness campaign featuring 10 practical steps that individuals, small businesses, larger organizations, and government agencies can take to improve cybersecurity.

The takeaway

Illinois' high ranking for cyber crime complaints and losses underscores the need for greater public awareness and improved cybersecurity measures to protect against the growing threat of cyber-enabled crimes. With cyber threats affecting businesses, government agencies, and individuals alike, a comprehensive approach is required to bolster the state's defenses.