Low Self-Control, Information Disclosure, and the Risk of Online Fraud

Gustavo S. Mesch, Matias Dodel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1356-1371
Number of pages16
JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist
Volume62
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 SAGE Publications.

Keywords

  • disclosure of personal information
  • online fraud victimization
  • self-control
  • victimization targets

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Cultural Studies
  • Education
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Social Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Low Self-Control, Information Disclosure, and the Risk of Online Fraud'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this