One in eight Brits fall victim to online ID fraud.

A YouGov survey commissioned by VeriSign Inc. has revealed that 12 percent of the UK population has been a victim of online ID fraud within the last 12 months. The research found that these fraud victims have had on average 463 [pounds sterling] stolen, with a quarter claiming to still be in dispute over compensation for the money that was stolen from them.

The survey found that in general British Web users are conscientious when it comes to online shopping. Eighty two percent of respondents claimed to buy only from sites with enhanced security settings, with eight percent more women claiming to check security before they buy online. However, the research shows that in the last 12 months, 2.65 billion [pounds sterling] was stolen online from UK consumers. Many victims claimed to have been extra careful when buying online, but the UK population is still experiencing fraud. This highlights the need for more education on how to protect yourself when shopping on the Internet. Richard Hurley of CIFAS, the UK's Fraud Prevention Service, commented, "Increasing numbers of cost-conscious consumers are now shopping online, and whilst the rise in online spending is great for online retailers, it opens up a Pandora's Box of security threats. Cyber criminals are undoubtedly getting more devious, but consumers can easily lessen the likelihood of online fraud by stepping up their own awareness of how they can protect themselves online. The launch of the VeriSign Fraud Barometer will allow us to track the current threat landscape further, with specific focus on online threats, and it is important that companies like CIFAS and VeriSign work to combat fraud and offer sound advice to consumers."

The survey was commissioned to launch the VeriSign UK Fraud Barometer(R), a biannual barometer of online fraud in the UK.

www.trustthetick.co.uk. www.verisign.com.