Money Watch – Personal Finance Blog

photo credit: Håkan Dahlström

The Guardian has reported the results of a survey which suggests that the UK’s security concerns are at a four-year high, and that bank card fraud is number 1 on the list of worries.

The data, which dates back to February of this year, before the recent events bought terrorism back into the headlines, suggests that 93% of us are worried about our bank cards being scammed, closely followed by identity fraud, worrying 91% of us.

The survey also also shows that the number of people seriously concerned about meeting their financial obligations has doubled in six months.

The survey is produced regularly by Unisys. Here’s a summary of the data from February:

The UK Unisys Security Index reveals that public insecurity is at its peak since the study started in 2007. National, financial, internet and personal security concerns have reached new heights; indicating that the changing financial, political and defence landscapes have taken their toll. The Unisys Security Index also revealed that the UK public has strong feelings about WikiLeaks and the rights and wrongs of revealing secret information. Bearing in mind that 16% of Brits would share sensitive information online, organisations need to tap into the public’s increasing desire for transparency and commit to greater openness by better managing their data.

Key Facts

• Nearly two thirds (63%) of the UK public believe that large gatherings, such as the 2012 London Olympics, are soft targets for malicious attack
• Bank card fraud is our number one concern (93 per cent); closely followed by identity theft (91%)
• 74% believe that airports and aeroplanes are vulnerable to a malicious or terrorist attack