Survey Finds Consumers Still Lax on Security

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The threat of identity theft is real, yet consumers continue to behave as if the danger is only other people's problem

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 21, 2012

More than 3 in 10 Americans share their password with a friend, according to a CreditDonkey.com survey on identity theft released today.

Nearly 25% of Americans add “friends" on Facebook who they don't know. Two thirds of consumers, some 68.4%, use the same password for multiple websites.

The survey paints a gloomy portrait of consumer attitude toward the real dangers of identity theft.

Survey Results: http://www.creditdonkey.com/identity-theft-survey.html

"The threat of identity theft is real, yet consumers continue to behave as if the danger is only other people's problem," says Charles Tran, founder of CreditDonkey.com, a credit card comparison and financial education website.

CreditDonkey.com conducted the nationwide online survey of 510 Americans in May.

Highlights:

•     13.1% of respondents have been a victim of identity theft.
•     68.4% of respondents have used the same password for multiple websites.
•     30.8% of respondents have shared their password with a friend.
•     24.5% of respondents have added friends on Facebook that they don't know.

Good News:

•     71.8% of respondents know that losing a social security card has the potential to cause the most harm when in the hands of an identity thief, compared to losing a credit card or driver's license.
•     65.5% of respondents know that a credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
•     76.3% of respondents know to check their credit report to find out if someone has opened a new line of credit in their name.

Bad News:

•     Only 33.3% of respondents know a fraud alert does not prevent thieves from using existing credit cards or other accounts.
•      26.9% of respondents are under the false impression that placing a fraud alert or credit freeze will negatively affect their credit score. Another 18% of respondents are under the false impression that placing a fraud alert or credit freeze will prevent them from accessing their own credit report.

"In reality, identity theft can strike any of us, and just like you shouldn't leave your front door unlocked, you should take basic precautions to protect yourself," advises Tran.

Visit http://www.creditdonkey.com/identity-theft-protection.html to view an infographic on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

CreditDonkey.com publishes credit card reviews, deals and tips to help Americans make informed credit decisions.

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