Using the health belief model to explore users' perceptions of ‘being safe and secure’ in the world of technology mediated financial transactions

Abstract

Fraudulent transactions occurring via the Internet or Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) present a considerable problem for financial institutions and consumers alike. Whilst a number of technological improvements have helped reduce the likelihood of security breaches, users themselves have an integral role to play in reducing technology mediated fraud. This paper focuses on the role of the user, specifically capturing information about their perceptions and behaviour when using technology to complete financial transactions. Semi-structured interviews with twenty-nine participants were conducted to increase knowledge and understanding in this domain. The findings are guided by the components of the Health Belief Model (HBM) which is used as a framework for exploring critical issues associated with behavioural change. Results indicate that users typically felt safe and secure whilst conducting financial transactions online and at the ATM. The users' perceived level of threat was low mainly because they thought it unlikely that they would be a victim of fraud and because of a reduced sense of responsibility for any negative outcomes. Whilst users were aware at a superficial level of what fraudulent activities take place they were less sure about behaviours designed to counteract fraud and their potential efficacy. Furthermore, security concerns among ATM users were not as high as concerns among Internet users with Internet users appearing to take more individual responsibility for their more personal technologies in more private spaces. The paper concludes with some practical implications based around the HBM suggesting user focused ways forward for encouraging secure behaviour.

Dimensions of Electronic Fraud and Governance of Trust in Nigeria’s Cashless Ecosystem

“…However, all these e-platforms are prone to attacks with unintended consequences on customers and distrust in the e-payment systems. Davinson and Sillence (2014) aver that fraudulent transactions via the internet or ATMs present a considerable problem for financial institutions and customers. This is because millions of transactions are mediated by technology usually deployed within a cashless ecosystem like Nigeria.…”

A Model of Online Protection to Reduce Children’s Online Risk Exposure: Empirical Evidence From Asia

“…Some examples of such predictive, preventive, and comprehensive behaviours could be (i) identifying online security behaviour such as password management and obtaining security training (Stanton, Mastrangelo, Stam, & Jolton, 2004); (ii) proposing a conceptual model of user security behaviour based on risk perception (Aytes & Conolly, 2003); (iii) attitudes towards online gambling and player protection (Wijesingha, Leatherdale, Turner, & Elton-Marshall, 2017); (iv) examining online privacy concern in Facebook users (Saeri, Ogilvie, La Macchia, Smith, & Louis, 2014) and teens' online privacy protection and subsequent online information disclosure on social network sites (Hongliang Chen et al, 2016); understanding individual email protection (Herath et al, 2014). The HBM has also been utilized to explore users' perceptions of being safe and secure online (Davinson & Sillence, 2014), and the impact of online and offline friendship networks on adolescent smoking and alcohol use (Huang et al, 2014). Youn (2005), tested the threat appraisal component of PMT to examine the context of online safety and found that higher levels of risk perception motivate teenagers to protect themselves from online privacy threats.…”

Compared to Dematerialized Money, Cash Increases Impatience in Intertemporal Choice

“…Goal‐pursuit research shows that activating a goal increases not only commitment but also implementation‐intentions toward reaching said goal (Carver & Scheier, ; Covington, ; Gollwitzer, ; Van Osselaer & Janiszewski, ). Hence, since priming prevention focus increases concerns for financial safety and security (Davinson & Sillence, ; Spiegel, Grant‐Pillow, & Higgins, ; Van Noort, Kerkhof, & Fennis, ), it is logical to expect greater commitment toward ensuring a better financial situation. In our context of intertemporal choice, this means a lesser sensitivity to the pain associated with delaying a reward.…”