Bank fraud is the top concern for UK consumers, beating out malicious attacks at large gatherings, such as the Olympics, and concerns over terrorist attacks on aeroplanes.

The Unisys Security Index showed that security concerns are at the highest levels across the board since the surveys begun in 2007.

Bank card fraud is high on the minds of 93 per cent of UK respondents, who worry about this issue, followed closely by identity theft at 91 per cent. Two-thirds (63 per cent) are concerned about large gatherings being targets for malicious attack, and 74 per cent believe airports and aeroplanes are vulnerable.

The Index tracks consumer security concerns every six months, and this research, conducted in February 2011, shows that the UK consumer’s security concern has jumped 42 points to an index score of 154, representing a serious level of concern – a leap in just six months.

Unisys has attributed the new heights that the country’s national, financial, internet and personal security concerns have reached to changing financial, political and defence landscapes taking their toll.

“These are alarming findings, but when you think about the government austerity measures, the security implications of hosting the Olympics in 2012, threats to aviation security – even the recent hoax bomb which made its way from the UK to Turkey undetected – the public would be justified in feeling insecure,” commented Neil Fisher, vice president of Global Security Services at Unisys.

“Knee-jerk approaches to managing security clearly aren’t working, as the index rate in the UK reflects. Until government and industry come together to address these vulnerabilities in a more collaborative and integrated fashion, the public’s confidence will continue to suffer.”

The Index measures concern on a scale of 0 to 300.

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