Internet Purchasing: Perceptions and Experiences of Australian Households

• NCJ Number: 218227
• Author(s): Tony Krone; Holly Johnson
• Date Published: February 2007
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice,No. 330, February 2007

Annotation

Data from the Australian component of the International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS) focus on respondents' Internet access, Internet purchasing, and any associated financial losses.

Abstract

The survey found that respondents' concern about the security of internet credit card transactions inhibited their use of the Internet for purchases. Respondents who did use the Internet for credit cared purchases, however, reported a lower level of monetary loss than was associated with offline credit or bank card transactions. Over the period addressed in the survey (1999-2003), financial losses associated with Internet purchases was $50-$121 million, compared with $529-$862 million lost through other forms of credit or bank card misuse. The prevalence of monetary losses in credit or bank card purchases over the Internet showed on upward trend over the survey period, while losses from other forms of credit card and bank card transactions decreased. It is likely, therefore, that as the number of online transactions increases, the number of victimizations in such transactions will also increase, as will associated monetary losses. This will require that those who market products and services through the Internet cooperate with appropriate government agencies in increasing security for online transactions and educating purchasers about how to reduce risks associated with online purchases. The Australian component of the ICVS was conducted in 2004. The survey sample consisted of 7,001 households. One person 16 years old or older was selected from each household for an interview. Data were collected through computer-assisted telephone interviewing. A response rate of 53 percent was achieved. A special module of questions was added to the Australian component of the 2004 ICVS in order to obtain estimates of Internet purchasing, modes of payment, the prevalence of problems experienced with online and offline credit card purchases, estimates of associated loss, and the reporting of the losses. 2 tables, 4 figures, and 3 references