State of fear

State of fear

By JANET FIFE-YEOMANS and JOE HILDEBRAND

June 21, 2006

NSW is the state of fear for everything from online shopping to terrorism, a survey of the nation's sense of security released yesterday shows.

People living here are also more worried than any other state about banking security and credit card fraud, while nine out of 10 Australians think banks should get their written permission before sending personal details overseas.

What scares you?

The Newspoll survey for internet company Unisys reveals that a third of the state's residents are extremely or very concerned about the security of online shopping or banking and half are worried about details of their credit or debits cards being stolen.

The results are matched by a nationwide McNair poll that shows 91 per cent of people believe banks should not store customer information offshore without their written permission.

Likewise, 85 per cent of respondents want the Federal Government to force financial institutions to tell their customers if their details will be sent overseas.

Experts have attributed the NSW findings to increased anxiety in the community and the Australian Consumers Association believes that when it comes to personal financial matters those fears may be well founded.

The Association believes credit card fraud and the abuse of personal information will increase with the move to outsource call centre and IT work to cheaper countries such as India.

"On the evidence already out there it's not as secure and there aren't as many protections," ACA financial policy officer Nick Coates said.

"I would imagine because of the amount of data that's stored in those offshore countries they're a prime target for credit card fraud on a more massive scale but most people won't know when they've been the victim.''

But in NSW fears extend well beyond credit card fraud.

The Unisys survey showed 44 per cent of NSW residents are extremely or very concerned about a terrorist attack - compared to just 34 per cent in South Australia - and 18 per cent are fearful for their personal security over the next six months.

Nearly a third are extremely or very concerned about meeting essential financial obligations and the same number are worried about a health epidemic.

Sydney University anthropologist Dr Stephen Juan said the findings showed growing anxiety in the community.

"People are worried about their future with petrol prices, housing and rents going through the roof and insecurity about their jobs," he said.

"And what is happening is that technology is overwhelming people and they are pessimistic about protecting their privacy which makes them more vulnerable."

He said people in NSW had higher levels of concern because of the increased cost of living and that Sydney was firmly on the international map, increasing the fears of terrorism.