Steps
Taken by Americans Actively Trying
to Prevent Identity Theft |
%
Actively Trying
to Prevent Theft |
| Avoid
giving my social security number out |
87% |
| Shred
or destroy bank and/or credit card information |
83% |
Shred
or destroy any credit card or other direct mail offers
|
81% |
Create
passwords containing numbers and letters
|
61% |
Avoid
buying or making donations via the phone
|
58% |
Only
purchase goods online from a reputable Website
|
56% |
Install
a computer firewall at home
|
52% |
Read
the privacy statements and/or bank liability clauses
|
50% |
Check
my credit report more frequently
|
38% |
Only
use one credit card for purchases
|
31% |
Avoid
shopping online
|
31% |
Avoid
using my debit/check-cashing card for purchases
|
20% |
Subscribe
to an identity theft protection program
|
11% |
“Three
out of five consumers are telling us that banks are not doing enough to educate
them on how to protect against identity theft, as most are learning about it through
television commercials and/or news reports,” said Lee Smith, president and
COO, of InsightExpress. “Credit card issuers and primary banks stand a better
chance of capturing and retaining customers if they take a more proactive approach
in educating and protecting consumers against the threat.”
In
terms of liability, almost half of consumers (48%) expect that they would be at
least partly responsible for charges made on their credit card should they become
a victim. Almost three out of five (58%) say the person who stole the card is
responsible, followed by the institution who issues the card (33%), the institution
that approves the credit card charge (29%), and the merchants (26%).
Respondents
for this study were randomly recruited online using InsightExpress' patent-pending
e-RDD methodology. The survey was created, distributed and tabulated during a
48-hour period in late April 2004. The data has a tolerance of +/- 4.4%.
About
InsightExpress
InsightExpress is the acknowledged pioneer of rapid turnaround,
high-quality, online market research services. With its award-winning and patented
technology, market research expertise, and access to more than 100 million online
individuals, InsightExpress enables its clients to easily harness market research
to make the right business decision in real time. InsightExpress is affiliated
with General Atlantic Partners. Visit us on the Web at www.insightexpress.com or call 203-359-4174.
