This BBC report says that, “Britons fear being ripped-off online more than gun crime, climate change or even contracting MRSA in hospital, a survey has suggested. Online fraud worries four out of 10 Britons, according to a survey from 3V, an electronic payments company.”
Well, yes, the internet can be a “dangerous place” and those “48% of online shoppers who had concerns about using their credit or debit cards online” are right to have them.
What I am not really happy about is the way that the media (not just the BBC) presents this. Let’s not get into the politics of “aiming not to draw attention” to things that are harder to solve, like gun crime, climate change or the crappy state of the health service, but people will be more fearful of internet crime than the other items mentioned, only because they are bombarded with messages that tell them to be worried.
So you can see why they say that people are concerned.
On the other hand, online fraud, like any other risk, online or off, is actually something that 100% of people aught to be concerned about - in the sense that they should be informed and aware and ready to protect themselves, calmly.
What people should not be doing, but unfortunately, the slant of much media coverage is encouraging, is to be panicked into a state making it a “major concern” that will likely make those who are ill informed avoid purchasing over the net.
This inevitably makes our job harder: we have to spend more time reassuring prospective customers and it obviously increases advertising costs if some of those who respond to ads, later abandon a purchase out of such fear.
The fact that 48% are reported as being concerned infers that 52% are not. They must also include many who, through lack of protection, continue to fall victim, perpetuating the problem.
We also need to be proactive in getting this issue media attention in a more grounded and effective manner.
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Sponzurz
