Exploring Social Media and Email Account Identity Theft

• In Event: Identity Theft & (Tele)Fraud

Abstract

The survey for the 2021 iteration of the National Crime Victimization Survey – Identity Theft Supplement (NCVS – ITS) included a timely revision that inquired about a new category of identity theft victimization: the misuse of email or social media accounts. In 2021, almost 4 million Americans experienced email or social media account misuse, which necessitates an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding this type of victimization. Drawing from the 2021 NCVS – ITS, this exploratory study examined (1) the predictors of email and social media account misuse, and (2) their financial, emotional, and relational consequences. Rather than grouping them together as a singular type of identity theft, we differentiated email and social media misuse to better understand their unique predictors and consequences. Compared to past research on traditional identity theft types, our preliminary results revealed both similar and distinct correlates and outcomes of these new forms of victimization. These findings improve our understanding of the relative costs and potential prevention strategies associated with the misuse of email and social media accounts. We also invite a discussion regarding best practices for researchers using the current and future NCVS – ITS datasets, including offering a rationale for operationalizing the new victimization item as separate subtypes.

Authors

• Dylan Reynolds, Cape Breton University

• Jin R. Lee, George Mason University

• Andrew D. Nevin, University of Guelph