Risky Remote Purchasing and Identity Theft Victimization Among Older Internet Users

• NCJ Number: 249441
• Journal: Psychology Crime & Law Volume: 21 Issue: 7 Dated: August 2015 Pages: 681-698
• Date Published: August 2015
• Author(s): Kristy Holtfreter; Michael D. Reisig; Travis C. Pratt; Robert E. Holtfreter
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-IJ-CX-0008
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Publication Format: ArticleDocument (Online)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using survey data from telephone interviews conducted in Florida and Arizona with individuals aged 60 and over, this study tested whether the theory of low self-control/risky lifestyles partially explains risky remote purchasing and identity theft victimization among older Internet users.

Abstract

Results from the two-stage probit models conform to expectations, i.e., individuals with lower levels of self-control had a significantly higher probability of making a purchase after receiving an unsolicited email from a vendor with whom they had not previously done business. Also, making a risky remote purchase significantly increased the probability of identity theft victimization. The findings not only speak to the generality of the low self-control/risky lifestyles perspective, but also indicate that older Internet users can reduce their victimization risk by taking specific precautions. (Publisher abstract modified)