IDENTITY
THEFT ROBS CONSUMERS
OF PEACE-OF-MIND:
AMERICANS
TAKING MEASURES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES
Most
Americans Think Identity Theft Could Happen to Them
Americans are more aware of identity
theft and taking preventative measures to protect themselves against this growing
financial threat. According to a survey of 500 Americans, conducted online by
professional research firm InsightExpress®, 15% of Americans have been a victim
of identity theft with one-third having had a friend or family member victimized.
Consumers are more attune to the risks of identity theft as 42% of Americans have
a higher level of concern over the possibility of identity theft this year than
last, while almost three out of five (59%) are actively taking measures to protect
themselves.
An
overwhelming majority of Americans (85%) are concerned that identity theft could
happen to them. One area creating trepidation as a source for identity theft is
credit card purchases. Americans say the online purchasing environment carries
the greatest risk of identity theft (37%) followed by telephone purchases (34%)
and in-person purchases (10%). Americans’ anxiety over identity theft doesn’t
stop with credit card purchases, as they cite ways they feel they could be victimized:
| Ways
Americans Think
Identity Theft Could Happen to Them |
%
Americans Agree |
| Stolen
wallet | 86% |
| Accessing
a credit card number on the Internet | 65% |
| Identifying
information on Internet sources | 64% |
| Stolen
mail from an unlocked mailbox | 64% |
| "Dumpster
diving" for un-shredded documents |
58% |
| Fraudulently
accessing credit reports | 56% |
| Obtaining
your name and Social Security Number from personnel or customer files in the workplace |
54% |
| "Shoulder
surfing" at ATM to capture PIN numbers | 46% |
While
online shopping has always posed concerns about identity theft, consumers are
taking widespread measures both online and off to protect themselves. Citing both
financial implications and the general nuisance factor as the key pain points,
Americans actively trying to prevent identity theft are taking the following steps:
(CONTINUE...)
