Consumer Fraud: A 2006 Survey of AARP Idaho Members' Experiences and Opinions

What’s in a name? Everything, particularly when it involves identity theft, and the fraudulent use of someone’s financial and personal information for someone else’s benefit. In Idaho, 90 percent of AARP members surveyed want their state to strengthen laws and regulations protecting consumers against this crime and 93 percent support stiffening penalties for repeat ID theft offenders.

Of the members surveyed about ID theft and computer-related crimes…

• 79 percent are concerned about being victimized by ID thieves
  
  
• 26 percent know someone whose identity has been stolen and 5 percent have actually been victims themselves
  
  
• 65 percent regularly and 21 percent occasionally shred personal and financial papers, but only 21 percent have locks on their mailboxes
  
  
• 81 percent of Internet and email users are concerned about providing personal information online

Regarding other consumer considerations...

• 60 percent are concerned about becoming victims of financial crimes, but only 7 percent report having been exposed to investor fraud
  
  
• 67 percent have bought home repairs or improvements, 32 percent of which have resulted in bad experiences
  
  
• 60 percent have received sales solicitations for health insurance, which only 6 percent felt were not valid

This mail survey of 1,035 AARP Idaho members was conducted from March though April 2006. Further information about the survey may be obtained by contacting Jennifer H. Sauer, the report's author, at 202-434-6207 or at jsauer@aarp.org. (44 pages)