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
Percent of Americans Agreeing 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 in trash bins 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% |
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:
Steps Taken by Americans Actively Trying to Prevent Identity Theft
Percent Actively Trying 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% |
In terms of liability:
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