Many Americans Identify as Online Fraud Victims, Says Survey Report

Nearly half of Americans polled said they were victimized by an online scam or had their credit card information or identity stolen, leading a majority to say the internet has become less safe, said a Digital Citizens Alliance survey report released Thursday. In the July 27-29 online survey of 1,215 Americans, 46 percent said they were defrauded or had their financial and personal data stolen, with one in three reporting a monetary loss. As a result, 52 percent said they felt the internet was less safe than five years ago, with only 12 percent saying it was more safe, the survey found. It said 71 percent want tougher federal and state laws against online criminals. "It's a bad sign when Americans think the internet is becoming less safe, so it's vital that governmental entities such as the Federal Trade Commission and others ensure that crime does not pay," said Tom Galvin, the group's executive director, in a news release. The survey also said 69 percent reported finding malware on their computers, and 42 percent said their credit card information was stolen and used. Plus, one in five reported either their computer or company's systems had been hacked at some time, the survey said. Vrge Analytics conducted the survey, with a margin of error of 4 percent.