AAA: Online Security a Concern for Holiday Shoppers

AAA URGES CAUTION WHEN HOLIDAY SHOPPING ONLINE

Survey: 1 in 3 Floridians has been the Victim of Identity Theft in the Past Two Years

TAMPA, Fla. (November 16, 2018) — One in three Floridians (32%) are more concerned than last year about the security of their personal data when purchasing gifts online, according to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey. Nearly half (47%) of consumer will do the majority of their holiday shopping on the internet, a 21 percent increase from two years ago. Within the last two years one in three Florida residents has been the victim of identity theft.

Online Shopping is the New Norm

The majority (79%) of shoppers say they will do at least half of their shopping on the web, compared to 53% who say they will do at least half of their gift buying in a brick-and-mortar location. Nearly, two in five (38%) will use their smart phone to purchase gifts this year, a 9% increase over 2017.

"Shopping online allows consumers to avoid the crowds and shop at their convenience," said Matt Nasworthy, Florida Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. "Online shopping is also an area of concern for many customers, in regards to data security. We encourage shoppers to only purchase gifts from trusted sources and enroll in an identity theft protection program like ProtectMyID®."

When Will Floridians Shop for Gifts?

November is the busiest time of year for holiday shopping, according to AAA research. The top shopping days for consumers all fall in November: Black Friday (50%), Cyber Monday (45%), and Thanksgiving Day (22%). Floridians plan to spend an average of $1,012 for presents in 2018 - a spending increase of 6% over last year.

What are Shoppers Buying?

• Apparel – 65%
• Gift Cards – 58%
• Toys – 39%

"Gift cards can take some of the stress out of holiday shopping," said, Belinda Dabrowski, managing director, AAA Partnership Development. "Purchasing a gift card allows the recipient to purchase items they enjoy and the savvy shopper can also enjoy some benefits as well. Many companies, including AAA, have some great perks for gift card buyers this holiday season."

Theme park tickets are also popular for Floridians. More than one in four (27%) will purchase theme park tickets this holiday season. AAA members can save on theme park tickets by visiting aaa.com/attractions to purchase.

AAA Holiday Shopping Tips

1. Use Discounts – Search for retailer coupons online or join mailing e-mail lists for exclusive discounts. Savvy shoppers looking for a bargain this holiday season can utilize the benefits of membership organizations like AAA. AAA members receive instant discounts at many retail locations and theme parks, including Reebok Outlets, The UPS Store, Sprint, and Universal Orlando Resort. For more information on gift cards and theme park tickets, visit aaa.com/save or download the AAA mobile app at aaa.com/mobile.
2. Sign up for a credit monitoring service. AAA members receive essential ProtectMyID coverage free of charge. Included in this member benefit are daily credit monitoring, email alerts, fraud resolution support, identity theft insurance, and lost wallet assistance. Go to AAA.com/IdentityTheft for more information.
3. Review your credit card statement, bank account, and credit report regularly. Be on the lookout for any unauthorized transactions and report them immediately to the effected account.
4. Do not respond to unsolicited requests for personal information. Identity thieves utilize "cold calling" or "phishing" schemes to solicit personal information including your name, birthdate, social security number and bank account number over the phone, by mail, or online.

About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in Florida from October 8, 2018 – October 22, 2018. A total of 409 residents completed the survey, with 368 planning to purchase gifts during the 2018 holiday season. Survey results have a maximum margin of error of ± 5.1 percentage points. Responses are weighted by gender and age to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida.

About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.6 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 59 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. Visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com.