More than half of small and medium-sized businesses have experienced financial fraud in the last year, and changing banks is one of the most common reactions, according to a recently survey by security vendor Guardian Analytics.
Working with The Ponemon Institute, Guardian's survey of nearly 700 businesses found that more than half had experienced fraud in the last year; 75 percent of those were victims of credit or debit card fraud and 73 percent experienced unauthorized access to accounts. Some 20 percent of fraud victims reported unauthorized ACH transfers and nine percent experienced unauthorized wire transfers.
Everyone on the inside of bank technology knows that these kinds of fraud are often accomplished through the installation of malware on the customer's computer, but a disconnect emerged: 67 percent of respondents said they believe the bank is ultimately responsible for ensuring that online accounts are secure; just 19 percent felt it was the end-user's job.
The really bad news: 11 percent of respondents said fraud or a fraud attempt resulted in the termination of the relationship between the company and the bank, and 29 percent said they made another bank their primary bank.
"This is a serious problem," says Terry Austin, CEO at Guardian Analytics. "Your customers take it seriously, and they will sever their relationship with you if they think you're not acting proactively."
But there was opportunity in these results: eight percent said the bank's reaction to a fraud or fraud attempt-presumably those that detected something awry before fraud occurred-increased the company's trust and confidence in their bank.
