Explaining Fear of Identity Theft Victimization Using a Routine Activity Approach

• DOI: 10.1177/10439862211001627
• Published date: 01 August 2021
• Date: 01 August 2021
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/10439862211001627

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice

2021, Vol. 37(3) 406 –426

© The Author(s) 2021

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DOI: 10.1177/10439862211001627

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Article

Explaining Fear of Identity

Theft Victimization Using a

Routine Activity Approach

Jaeyong Choi1, Nathan E. Kruis2,

and Kyung-Seok Choo3

Abstract

The current study aims to estimate and explain citizens’ fear of identity theft

victimization by examining data collected from a nationally representative sample

of South Korean residents. Specifically, we compared participants’ levels of fear of

identity theft victimization with fear of other types of crime using paired-samples

t-tests. We found that fear of identity theft victimization is significantly higher than

fear of other types of crime. Drawing on routine activity theory, we explored the

relationship between victimization (i.e., identity theft), online proximity to motivated

offenders (i.e., phishing), online exposure to motivated offenders (e.g., online banking

and shopping), target suitability (e.g., downloading pirated media), and fear of identity

theft victimization. Results from ordinal logistic regression models suggest that

victimization and online exposure to motivated offenders were significantly related

to fear of identity theft victimization.

Keywords

fear of identity theft, phishing, cybercrime, routine activities theory

Introduction

Identity theft is one of the most ubiquitous financial crimes, affecting approximately

one in 25 adults living in the Western world every year (Roberts et al., 2013). This

number seems to be on the rise (Marchini & Pascual, 2019; Piquero et al., 2011).

1Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, USA

2Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA, USA

3Utica College, NY, USA

Corresponding Author:

Jaeyong Choi, Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice, Angelo State University,

2601 W. Avenue N, San Angelo, TX 76909, USA.

Email: jaeyong.choi@angelo.edu

1001627CCJXXX10.1177/10439862211001627Journal of Contemporary Criminal JusticeChoi et al.

research-article2021

Choi et al. 407

Although there exists a growing literature base documenting trends, patterns, and new

techniques of identity theft, as well as general characteristics of victims and risk fac-

tors for identity theft, little is known about fear of identity theft victimization and its

predictors. Researchers have suggested that this topic as a whole (e.g., identity theft)

is an understudied area in criminology (Irvin-Erickson & Ricks, 2019; Piquero et al.,

2011). Furthermore, considering that fear of crime can have detrimental effects on a

person’s mental and physical health (Pearson & Breetzke, 2014), fear of cybercrime—

of which, identity theft is a subcategory—is also one topic that has been understudied

within the fear of crime literature (cf. Henson et al., 2013; Higgins et al., 2008; Roberts

et al., 2013; Yu, 2014).

As public perceptions of identity theft can influence policy efforts designed to pre-

vent, detect, and deter identity-related offenses (Piquero et al., 2011), the study of citi-

zens’ fear of identity theft could help develop strategies to combat these problems. The

current study seeks to fill the gaps in the literature on fear of cybercrime by measuring

fear of identity theft victimization using a nationally representative sample of South

Korean residents. Furthermore, this study contributes to the existing literature by test-

ing the utility of routine activity theory for explaining the fear of becoming a (cyber)

victim of identity theft. In doing so, the current study provides implications that can be

useful for understanding public fear of identity theft victimization.

To provide readers with a more thorough understanding of the current knowledge

base regarding identity theft victimization, we present an overview of the prior litera-

ture on the topic. We then leverage information from the literature on fear of crime to

consider the utility of routine activity theory for explaining fear of identity theft vic-

timization. After describing the current study, we present the results from a multivari-

ate analysis predicting fear of identity theft victimization. Concluding remarks discuss

the findings, limitations of this article, and directions for future studies.

Literature Review

Identity Theft

There has been some debate surrounding the true definition of identity theft. Broadly,

identity theft, in general, refers to the unlawful acquisition and use of another indi-

vidual’s personal identification information (Allison et al., 2005; Gordon et al.,

2003; Perl, 2003; Pontell, 2009; White & Fisher, 2008). This information can

include, but is not limited to, a person’s name, residential address, birth date, social

security number, tax information, passport number, driver license number, or bio-

medical information (Allison et al., 2005). There are three main types of identity

theft: (a) tax-related identity theft, (b) medical identity theft, and (c) social identity

theft (United States Government, 2020). Tax-related identity theft refers to a process

whereby a perpetrator uses another person’s personal information to file and claim a

fraudulent tax refund. Medical identity theft occurs whenever someone steals per-

sonally identifying information of another person and uses this information to attain

medication, medical care, or to submit fraudulent claims to health insurers. Social