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People still endangering themselves despite fraud concern

Internet users in the UK are still revealing personal data online creating the risk of ID theft, despite the fact that some 79 per cent are concerned about fraud, a survey of 1,500 UK adults has shown.

According to data from internet security professionals (ISC)², highly sensitive personal data is being revealed online by a staggering 84 per cent of the UK public.

Postcodes (86 per cent) and date of birth (84 per cent) are among the most revealed bits of data among those polled with some 34 per cent revealing their mother's maiden name.

"This makes it easy for criminals to find and use their personal data for identity theft and fraud," said John Colley of (ISC)².

"Websites should not be forcing – or even asking – people to submit these personal details about themselves."

According to PayPal's latest Global Trust and Safety Report, people in the UK are three times as likely to become victims of identity theft compared to those in other European countries.

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