In the Wake of Identity Theft, Americans Are Altering Their Online Behavior
In the wake of consumer education on internet-propelled ID fraud, Americans are changing certain online behaviors, according to a survey conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA).
Although 73% of the survey’s respondents said they use the internet for various transactions that include banking and stock trading, almost 60% said their behaviors online have changed due to fear of ID theft. (See this link for more information, including the surveyors’ methodology.)
A few of the findings of the study included:
- 22% of those surveyed reported their identity had been used for such criminal purposes as credit card theft or unauthorized loans.
- 20% said they have limited or halted online purchasing.
- 40% said they will only visit websites they already know.
- 51% rated having $5000 stolen from a credit card or bank account as worse than having $5000 stolen from their homes.
Dangers Still Exist
Despite safety measures such as those reported in the study, Americans may still be in danger of identity theft both online and in realtime, experts say. That’s because although certain precautions are being taken by increasingly savvy consumers, they’re still leaving holes an experienced criminal can reach through to grab a hold of their identity…and their hard-earned cash.
The NCSA survey would seem to bear this out, with 53% of respondents stating they use the same password for multiple online accounts–a no-no when trying to keep one’s identity safe, according to anti-ID theft researchers.
Another potential danger lies in the seemingly innocent practice of storing pictures (which may inadvertently include identifying characteristics such as one’s license plate number, house number and pictures of one’s family). According to the survey, 68% of individuals store more than one-quarter of their pictures this way.
The Old-Fashioned Way
The NCSA survey may have also revealed another hidden danger: some Americans are more afraid of (and more preventative against) online thievery than, for example, home break-ins. (Only thirty-seven percent of those surveyed said $5000 procured by a home break-in would be worse than the same amount of money stolen from a bank account or credit card; 12% were unsure.)
However, despite an alarming increase in recent years in online theft as a whole, many criminals remain old-fashioned, preferring such methods as home break-ins or hold-ups.
Nor does theft (including ID theft) need to be violent or even involve the knowledge of the victim at all. For instance, a credit card application offer hastily thrown away in the trash is fodder for a thief posing as an innocent jogger. And a dropped receipt at the gas station can spell trouble for the in-a-hurry buyer who has just filled up and is late for work.
Staying Aware; Staying Safe
When it comes to protecting your assets, staying aware can make all the difference. A consumer’s best line of defense is to educate him- or herself on the latest inventions among the criminal community and how to outsmart them.
Look over your own online behavior and see whether or not it matches recommendations from today’s security experts. And don’t forget personal space safety (including your home and car). With the most up-to-date information, you just might thwart a thief who has his eye on your savings–and have him thinking twice about trying it the next time.
