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
• Author(s): Kristy Holtfreter; Michael D. Reisig; Travis C. Pratt; Robert E. Holtfreter
• Date Published: August 2015
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-IJ-CX-0008
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Financial Exploitation of the Elderly in a Consumer Context

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)