One in Five People Victimized by E-mail Fraud

A survey done for Symantec Corporation found that 18 percent or one in five adults that use email have fallen victim to email scams. The survey of 1,000 Internet users also found that one of the most commonly targeted groups - senior citizens - is actually the most cautious group when it comes to responding to spam messages. The study found that 97 percent of senior citizens receive spam daily. Only 23 percent of those 65 years and older, however, had responded to spam email messages compared to one in three users between the ages of 18 and 64.

Yet the survey also found that seniors are the least likely to take anti-spam actions. Only 47 percent of respondents 65 and older used spam-fighting tools on their computers compared to two-thirds of respondents between 18 and 64.

Copyright © 2004 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 14, No. 5, 7/05