16 August 2007
Half of the UK population remains undaunted by the rise in internet banking fraud, a new report has shown.
With the number of households connected to broadband internet steadily increasing and the popularity of online banking and shopping rising, Lloyd's TSB has found that over a quarter of Britons believe that internet fraud does not concern them because 'these things happen'.
Indeed many people questioned stated that their apparent nonchalance about online safety was driven by the belief that they could do little to prevent fraud from happening.
Furthermore, almost half said that online crime does not worry them as they thought the convenience of online banking outweighed the risk of ID theft.
Nine out of ten people said they believed they had done all they could to minimise their risk of being targeted by cyber criminals, however almost a quarter of these people admitted they could be better informed about online security.
Ian Larkin, Managing Director of consumer banking for Lloyds TSB, said: "Internet fraud is an issue no one can afford to ignore and it is by no means a victimless crime.
"Its impact stretches far beyond the customer whose money is taken and the bank it is taken from, with the proceeds often used to fund other more serious crime around the world.
"Anyone using online banking needs to make sure they choose strong passwords, regularly update the security of their PCs and keep their details secret at all times. Some customers do believe fraud just happens, but sitting back and doing nothing is the surest way to turn this into a self-fulfilling prophecy."
According to recent figures from the Office of National Statistics, almost three quarters of UK households are now connected to broadband internet.
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