Security fears keeping shoppers offline

People are avoiding shopping online because they fear they will become a victim of crime, according to new research.

In a survey of 1,000 people, electronic payments company Cybersource found that just over two-thirds did not shop online. Of this number two in 10 people cited concerns about security as the reason for this.

The most common source of information about the safety of online shopping comes from the media, which tends to focus on cyber crimes or losses of credit card information.

However, consumers also rely on friends and family for advice, with a third of respondents saying that they, or someone they knew, had been a victim of online credit card fraud.

Simon Stokes, managing director of Cybersource, said: “With the abundance of media coverage about security breaches, it is not surprising that some shoppers are frightened off.”

“As more people gain access to the internet and realise the convenience, value, and safety of shopping online, I believe we’ll see a higher percentage trying and staying with this form of purchase.”

However, it’s not all bad news. The survey also found UK shoppers are taking some basic precautions to protect themselves from fraud when shopping online.

Nearly three-quarters of online shoppers have signed up for the Mastercard Secure Code or Verified by Visa programmes, which provide password security for online credit card users. Just over half also said they used credit cards for the additional protection these offer.