Security News > 2020 > March > Coronavirus-related digital fraud: 22% of Americans targeted
Social distancing has affected consumer shopping patterns, and a TransUnion survey found that 22% of Americans said they've been targeted by digital fraud related to COVID-19.
Consumers are greatly reliant on online retailers during the coronavirus pandemic, and businesses must be armed to combat fraud, while making sure the company's web and mobile platforms are bug-free.
According to TransUnion, 22% of Americans who were targeted by digital fraud related to COVID-19 were 18-years and older.
Fraudsters are focused on exploiting retailers' digital connections with consumers, especially now that those consumers aren't patronizing brick-and-mortar stores, but almost exclusively shopping online.
The company's Global E-commerce in 2020 report, from the TransUnion global fraud and identity solutions division, reported a shocking 347% increase in account takeover, and a 391% rise in shipping fraud against online retail customers, from 2018 to 2019.