Masso Group

Levels of consumer confidence that companies will keep sensitive data private are very low, according to a poll following a number of high-profile data security breaches. Gambling companies were the least trusted sector, with only 4% of people saying they had faith in such companies protecting their data. Banks and building societies had the highest level of trust, but still only 52% of people surveyed said they trusted them. Mobile phone companies scored just 9%, some way below the 25% that said they trusted central government.

Brands such as Orange and Littlewoods have been found guilty of breaches of the Data Protection Act by the Information Commissioner's Office, and there have been embarrassing losses of discs containing millions of people's bank details by the government.

Young people have more faith in doing business online, with 40% of 18- to 25-year-olds declaring themselves happy to use online technology in general. In contrast, only 19% of the 45- to 54-year-old range were happy with websites.

The research also suggests that consumers will vote with their feet unless organisations tighten up their online fraud safeguards -- just under half (45%) of those polled are prepared to give up online shopping to avoid becoming a victim of identity fraud.

The poll was carried out by YouGov for data services supplier GB Group.

Rob Laurence, managing director of GB Group's fraud prevention business, said: "Identity fraud is a major issue for consumers and it's clear companies need to do much more to win their trust.

"The majority of adults in the UK have a bank or building society account, yet just half actually trust those organisations with their personal information. Well over 45m people in the UK have a mobile phone, but less than one in 10 of those polled trust their mobile company with their personal details."

 

(Source: Media)