Rise of fraud in popular culture changes consumer outlook on crime

Onfido survey finds that portrayals of fraud in popular culture are influencing views on criminal activity and fraud prevention

Onfido, the leading global digital identity verification and authentication provider, today announced the results of a study exploring the impact of popular true-crime documentaries on consumers' trust and behaviour with people online, and with digital businesses and services. 

Identity fraud has found a prominent place in popular culture with true-crime documentaries such as The Tinder Swindler, and dramatisations such as Inventing Anna, but while this makes viewers more aware of fraud, the audience's reactions vary. Onfido surveyed 2,000 US and UK consumers to understand how documentaries are impacting viewers’ perceptions of fraud and how this affects both their trust and behavior online.

Reactions split over impact of popular fraud culture 

The rise of fraud as part of popular culture has led as many as two out of three (67%) consumers to admit it has changed their outlook on fraud. In particular, the survey finds that almost six out of ten (59%) US and UK consumers are now more cautious about trusting others online due to fraud documentaries or dramatisations. 

However, the study also suggests that consumers are being lured into a false sense of security as 17% believe they would not fall for identity fraud, while others are becoming desensitised to its impact. As many as 34% of US respondents now believe that fraud is easy carry out, while a quarter (25%) of Brits feel the same. Moreover, across the US and UK, 16% believe it is now a victimless crime and 15% say that the crime seems less serious. 

Changing consumer attitudes and behaviors

The study shows that changing attitudes are translating into day-to-day behavior changes among consumers to protect themselves from the growing threat landscape; this starts with how they approach and engage with businesses. Across the US and UK, 29% of consumers are now sceptical of businesses operating online, and 39% would now withhold personally identifiable information when engaging with them. Yet nearly two-thirds of people (65%) agree that they would use online sites more if there were secure identity verification solutions to help prevent fraud and social abuse. 

When asked what security measures would make them trust a company with their identity online, taking a photo of their ID for instant verification (26%) and use of biometrics or device recognition (43%) are the preferred methods. Pressure is therefore mounting on businesses to explore new digital verification methods that offer a robust defense against fraud while reducing friction for consumers.

Establishing the relationship between trust and education 

Amidst the growing prominence of fraud in popular culture, there is a recognition amongst consumers of the importance of education on identity fraud. This is both to protect themselves and to deter others from attempting to commit the crime. More than half (53%) of respondents say adults need better education on fraud protection, while almost 1-in-2 (48%) think the elderly need better education on navigating online fraud. 

Businesses should ensure their onboarding process incorporates assistive technologies like screen readers, device font resizing, and elements that are optimized to help users with visual or motor disabilities to navigate the identity verification process, to increase all users’ chances of being successfully verified.