A study released last week by the Washington-based National Consumers League revealed that 6 million e-commerce customers believe they have been victims of online fraud or misuse of credit-card information. Despite their concerns, though, respondents said they still support expanded electronic banking and plan to increase their purchasing on the Internet.
The survey is based on a poll of 1,006 consumers conducted by Lou Harris and Associates.
National Consumers League president Linda Golodner said the expansion of secure e-commerce sites has made consumers more comfortable using their credit cards to make online purchases.
According to the study, 42 per cent of respondents use the Internet to gather information about products and services, and 24 per cent purchase online.
"It's really up to us as consumer organisations to make sure that people understand how to use their credit cards online and make sure that companies that are defrauding the public can be brought to the attention of enforcement agencies,'' Golodner said.
