Victims’ Decisions to Engage in Protective Behaviors Following Identity Theft Victimization

• In Event: From Phishing to Romance Scams: Motivations, Tactics, and Responses

Abstract

Despite a growing body of research identifying several self-protective behaviors against identity theft victimization which reduce one's risk, it remains less clear what factors are associated with the adoption of these self-protective behaviors, potentially undermining the efficacy of policies aiming to promote these actions. Accordingly, the current study examines the extent to which individual and incident characteristics are associated with the decision to engage in various self-protective behaviors, as well as the overall number of self-protective behaviors adopted among a sample of identity theft victims. Using data from the 2021 National Crime Victimization Survey Identity Theft Supplement, multivariate findings suggest that indicators of seriousness were associated with the decision to adopt self-protective behaviors generally, while distress was associated with certain self-protective behaviors. Moreover, findings suggested that income was positively associated with the odds of adopting certain self-protective behaviors, suggesting that financial barriers may undermine the adoption of self-protective behaviors against identity theft. Findings are discussed in light of areas for future research as well as policy implications.

Author

• Cooper Maher, Michigan State University