Low Self-Control, Information Disclosure, and the Risk of Online Fraud. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mesch, Gustavo S.; Dodel, Matias
• Other Names: Chen Wenhong guest-editor.; Park Yong Jin guest-editor.; Quan-Haase Anabel guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: American behavioral scientist. Volume 62:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1356
• Page End: 1371
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: online fraud victimization -- victimization targets -- disclosure of personal information -- self-control; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1177/0002764218787854
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7642

Abstract

This study investigates the risk of being a target of an attempt at fraud through email by assessing the role of low self-control, online activities, and the disclosure of personal information. A secondary analysis of the 2014 U.S. "Caught in the Scammers' Net", a national survey of online victimization ( N = 1, 539), indicates that those with low self-control and individuals who engage in online activities are more likely to disclose personal information online. The risk of being targeted with a fraudulent offer is also associated with low self-control and online routine activities. Responding to a fraudulent offer is associated with disclosing personal information online and low self-control. Taken together, our empirical evidence strengthens the central role of low self-control theory.