Consumer Alert: 92 percent of Americans take major risks with personal data

A new study says that in the internet age, most Americans are taking big risks with their personal information.

News 12 Staff

Feb 15, 2019, 10:05 PM

Updated 1,895 days ago

Share:

Consumer Alert: 92 percent of Americans take major risks with personal data
A new study says that in the internet age, most Americans are taking big risks with their personal information.
The study by Creditcards.com finds that 92 percent of Americans are taking at least one major risk when it comes to their personal data and information.
The study found that the most common security issue was that most Americans reuse their passwords.
“We found that [60 percent of] Americans are using the same password more than half the time, and we found that 22 percent are using the same password every single time,” says credit industry analyst Ted Rossman.
Rossman continues, “There’s an interesting conflict here because, on one hand, people are being irresponsible with their info. But on the other hand, people are telling us that identity theft is a really big deal.”
The survey also found that Americans aren’t doing enough to protect themselves from data breaches even after they happen. Only 40 percent of Americans surveyed say that they check their credit reports on a regular basis. Only 24 percent say that they have ever used a credit freeze.
A credit freeze will basically block anyone else from taking out new credit in your name. Under a new federal law, it is now free to do so in all 50 states.
More information on credit freezing can be found HERE.


More from News 12
1:51
Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

2:20
Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

1:41
Pro-Palestinian protest expected in Irvington during President Biden's visit to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian protest expected in Irvington during President Biden's visit to Westchester

1:57
Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:25
Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

0:24
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

0:24
Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

1:47
Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

0:27
Oklahoma woman pleads guilty in fatal Newburgh drunk driving crash

Oklahoma woman pleads guilty in fatal Newburgh drunk driving crash

0:45
Yonkers officer faces charges in off-duty Bronxville accident

Yonkers officer faces charges in off-duty Bronxville accident

0:21
Dutchess County drivers awarded free cars after completing empowerment program

Dutchess County drivers awarded free cars after completing empowerment program

0:35
20 Hudson Valley public high schools among top 100 in New York state

20 Hudson Valley public high schools among top 100 in New York state

1:09
Headlines: Burglary guilty plea, illegal AR-15 possession, library larceny

Headlines: Burglary guilty plea, illegal AR-15 possession, library larceny

0:17
St. Barnabas High School marks 100 years of education at New Rochelle gala

St. Barnabas High School marks 100 years of education at New Rochelle gala

0:27
Manhattan College and Rockland Community College partnership allows seamless student transfers

Manhattan College and Rockland Community College partnership allows seamless student transfers

0:25
Orangeburg students crowned winners of entrepreneurship competition

Orangeburg students crowned winners of entrepreneurship competition

0:26
Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

2:27
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze