COSTA MESA, Calif.,
Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A
recent survey from Experian's ProtectMyID® reveals that
retail data breaches have raised consumer awareness of identity
protection during the busy holiday shopping season. In fact, more
than 70 percent of respondents shopping in stores noted they plan
to stay aware of their surroundings when shopping. Consumers also
expect retailers to keep their information safe: 79 percent would
like to hear from retailers as to how those retailers plan to
protect personal and credit card information – before the
holiday shopping starts. However, the survey demonstrates that
consumers could do a little more to protect their own information.
For example, of those planning to shop online, nearly 40 percent
still don't check to see if the site is secure. In-store, only 41
percent of respondents cover the PIN pad at registers when entering
that information, leaving them exposed to "shoulder surfers."
"Many of this season's holiday shoppers received retail data
breach notifications during the past few years and they feel that
their identities are at risk more than ever before, whether
shopping online or in-store," said Becky
Frost, senior manager of consumer education for Experian's
ProtectMyID. "However, consumers should understand that it's not
just about retailers keeping their information secure; often an
identity thief only needs a shopper's momentary lapse in focus to
walk away with an unintended 'holiday gift' of personal
information."
More survey results:
Shoppers' game plan
- Ninety-five percent of survey respondents anticipate shopping
at a physical store, while 86 percent believe they will shop online
via a computer and 41 percent will make purchases online via a
mobile device. (However, 30 percent of consumers believe their
identities are more at risk when shopping online.)
- Forty percent of surveyed consumers plan to shop with cash more
often due to the recent retail data breaches.
Retail breach victims* take action
- Retail breach victims plan to step up safety measures with
in-store shopping. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of in-store
shoppers said they would not leave a purse or a wallet in an
unattended car while shopping, 75 percent plan to carry a closed
wallet or purse while shopping and fifty percent plan to use a
credit card or cash instead of a debit card.
- Retail breach victims also demonstrate greater awareness and
caution when shopping online, with 67 percent checking to see if a
site is secure before making purchases and 61 percent logging out
of personal accounts after shopping.
Tips to protect your identity while holiday shopping
- Minimize wallet contents – Unnecessary items, like extra
credit cards or a checkbook, can raise identity theft risks in the
event that the wallet is lost or stolen.
- Keep it covered – Protect your PIN when paying with a
debit card by using your free hand or your body to obscure the
keypad from the view of others around you.
- Connect with caution – Do Internet shopping from a
secure connection. It is easier for identity thieves to steal
information over public Wi-Fi networks.
- Stay secure – Shop only on websites that protect
customer information; look for an "s" after "http" in the web
address (https://) and the image of a secured padlock.
- Be informed – Review credit reports and bank and credit
card statements during and after the holidays to watch for
potentially fraudulent transactions.
- Have a partner – Consider enrolling in an identity
protection membership, such as Experian's ProtectMyID.
* Survey respondents who acknowledged having received a
breach notification.
Survey methodology
The online survey was conducted by
Edelman Berland on behalf of
Experian from Oct. 29, 2014, through
Nov. 3, 2014, among 1,005 adults ages
18 and older residing in the United
States. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percent.
For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables,
please contact ann@pitchpublicrelations.com.
About Experian's ProtectMyID
ProtectMyID is a leading,
full-service provider of identity theft detection, protection and
resolution. ProtectMyID offers identity theft protection supported
by experienced identity theft resolution professionals who deliver
personal attention that customers can rely on.
ProtectMyID.com® is a Website owned by ConsumerInfo.com
Inc., an Experian company. For more information about how
ProtectMyID helps consumers protect themselves against identity
theft, please visit http://www.protectmyid.com.
This press release is provided for general guidance and
information. It is not intended as, nor should it be construed to
be legal, financial or other professional advice. Please consult
with your attorney or financial adviser to discuss any legal issues
or financial issues involved with credit decisions.
About Experian
Experian® is the leading
global information services company, providing data and analytical
tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to
manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and
automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check
their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity
theft.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and
is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year
ended March 31, 2014, was
US$4.8 billion. Experian employs
approximately 16,000 people in 39 countries and has its corporate
headquarters in Dublin, Ireland,
with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.
For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.
Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other
product and company names mentioned herein are the property of
their respective owners.
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SOURCE Experian’s ProtectMyID
