Press Releases

New Survey From Guard ID Systems Shows 91 Percent of Online Holiday Shoppers Handle Their Account Passwords in an Unsafe Manner

Shoppers Expose Themselves to Risks for Online Identity Theft and Fraud

SAN MATEO, Calif. – November 20, 2007 – The results of a nationwide survey of online shoppers released today by Guard ID Systems, Inc., makers of ID Vault, found that 91 percent of those surveyed handle their account credentials in an unsafe manner, specifically storing passwords on their computers, writing passwords on paper and using the same usernames and/or passwords for multiple shopping accounts.

With the holidays just around the corner, shoppers will hit the online shops in record numbers, providing cyber criminals with significant opportunities to attack carefree consumers and steal their personal financial information through a wide range of malware, fraudulent Web sites and phishing attacks. According to the survey, 74 percent of online shoppers have received e-mail-based phishing attacks, and 50 percent said that they were fooled, or nearly fooled, by a phishing e-mail. Despite this fact, one-third of those surveyed would shop at an unfamiliar site if it offered good prices.

“Online shoppers are more vulnerable to identity theft during the holidays, as cyber criminals are working overtime to take advantage of shoppers who aren’t careful in securing their online identities,” said Jerry Thompson, CEO of Guard ID Systems. “These survey results highlight the need for consumers to immediately secure their account credentials, and to protect themselves against phishing attacks. We designed ID Vault to do just that.”

According to the survey, 40 percent of respondents plan to shop online during Thanksgiving weekend to take advantage of special Web-only offers, and 43 percent of respondents plan to do more than half of their holiday shopping online. Despite their willingness to shop online, the survey also found that 80 percent of shoppers are concerned that shopping online may increase their chances of being victims of identity theft; one in three online shoppers surveyed has been a victim, or knows someone who has been a victim, of identity theft.

For full survey results, or for additional information about the survey, contact Greg Marek at greg@guardid.com or 650-286-9440.

About Guard ID Systems
Guard ID Systems, Inc., headquartered in San Mateo, CA, develops and markets ID Vault, the first hardware-based security product that protects consumers against online identity theft and fraud when they bank, shop and invest online. ID Vault has a suggested retail price of $49.99, and is available at major retailers nationwide including Best Buy, CompUSA, Fry’s Electronics, OfficeMax, QVC, Sam’s Club, and Amazon.com. ID Vault is backed by a $1 million guarantee. Visit www.GuardID.com for more information.

###

ID Vault is a trademark of Guard ID Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

###

Press Contact

Greg Marek, Vice President of Marketing
(650) 286-9440