Half of internet bankers not concerned by fraud

Convenience outweighs risk and banks will reimburse any losses, says customer survey

Consumers are not worried because they know banks will reimburse them

Most people are not concerned by internet banking fraud, according to a survey by Lloyds TSB.

Two fifths (39 per cent) of respondents said they are not worried by the thought of online crime because their bank will reimburse them. And almost half (48 per cent) said they do not care because the convenience outweighs the risk of fraud.

Consumer complacence is a danger in itself, said LloydsTSG consumer banking managing director Ian Larkin.

'Some customers do believe fraud just happens, but sitting back and doing nothing is the surest way to turn this into a self-fulfilling prophecy.'

Though nine out of ten people think they do all they can to avoid becoming a victim, only a fifth feel they fully understand how to stay safe on the internet. And 24 per cent say they could be better informed about online security.

The younger generation is the least educated about the risks. Only 15 per cent of people aged 18-25 say they feel 'very well informed' about what they need to do to avoid becoming a victim of online banking fraud, compared with 22 per cent of 35-50 year olds and 29 per cent of those over 65.