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9 in 10 users fear mobile data poses fraud risk

While both individual consumers and businesses are benefitting from the evolution of mobile computers, a significant majority fear that their personal data could be being placed at greater risk by such devices.

According to new research, 82 per cent of people fear that, if their mobile phones were either lost or stolen, their data could be used by tech-savvy criminals for fraudulent ends, including ID theft.

Indeed, 40 per cent of those polled by Mformation stated that losing their phone would be even more serious than losing their wallets, highlighting the extent to which modern devices are being used to store increasing amounts of sensitive information.

"People can access the internet and store significant amounts of valuable personal information and other content on their mobile devices," explained the company's vice president Matt Bancroft.

As a result of this, he added, both users and telecoms operators need to identify the possible data theft risks posed by the new technology and, if necessary, fit firewalls and anti-spyware applications.

At the same time, CreditExpert has advised that young single adults in rental property are most likely to fall victim to ID theft, even more so than high-earning individuals.

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