The relationship between receiving phishing attempt and identity theft victimization in South Korea

Abstract

In this research, the authors employ the framework of Routine Activities Theory (RAT) to examine how receiving phishing attempts is associated with identity theft victimization. In addition, the study assesses whether receiving phishing attempts mediates the relationships between other indicators, including routine online activities, fear of victimization, and sociodemographic characteristics and identity theft victimization. Data from the Korea Crime Victim Survey (KCVS) 2008 is analyzed and the results suggest that the respondents who have received phishing attempts are more likely to be victimized by identity theft. Moreover, education level, routine online activities and fear of identity theft victimization are positively related with identity theft victimization.