Internet fraud is more frequent
54% of consumers say that they are most likely to come across misleading/deceptive or fraudulent advertisements or offers on the Internet — far more than those who mention phone (18%), post (15%), doorstep selling
Safety of credit card details
21% of consumers expressed concerns that their credit card details may be stolen
The fear of cross-border fraud
62% of consumers who had not made a cross-border distance purchase said that fears about fraud put them off
Victims of online fraud
12% of internet users across the EU have already been the victims of online fraud and 8% have had to deal with identity theft.
A universal right
The access to basic banking services and traditional means of payment, such as cash payments or paper transactions must become a universal right (MEP Evelyne Gebhardt)
What Former Commissioner Barnier thinks
It will not be acceptable that new payment technologies, of which it is also important that Europe maintains its technological command, have the effect of reinforcing the exclusion of some consumers.
Impact on vulnerable groups
Vulnerable groups such as migrants, low-income, over-indebted, old and disabled people are reportedly experiencing difficulties in using new payment technologies or cannot have access to them.
Technology is leaving people behind
New payment services such as cards, internet and mobile payments may leave many people behind, while also making it more difficult for them to pay in traditional ways such as cash.
Increasing financial exclusion
The development of new payment technologies risks increasing financial exclusion for vulnerable consumers (ie migrants, over indebted people, low-income people)
The geographic lottery
According to the European Commission “Europe’s 400 million Internet users face a geographic lottery regarding the price, speed, and range of choice of broadband”.
Not everyone can use the Internet
21% of individuals aged 16-74 in the EU have never used the internet – whether at home, at work or at any other place (more than 40% in Romania and Bulgaria, more than 30% in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Poland and Cyprus)
Limited Internet access
In 2013, 21% of European households had no internet access (more than 40% in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, more than 30% in Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania and Portugal)
Paper preference
60% of citizens would not choose a company which does not offer a paper bill.
Postal bills are often preferred
69% of citizens say that postal bills offer better record keeping, 65% think they are easier to check, 48% consider they offer more security.
Citizens want to be given a choice
80% of citizens think it is important to have the choice in how they access financial information and statements from all service providers.
Paper raises balance awareness
39% of citizens admit that without paper statements they would not know what their balance was.
Citizens fear for their finances
40% of citizens say that the removal of paper statements could seriously affect their finances.
Digital blindness
Over 40% of people who receive paper bills noticed an error on their bill, compared with just 29% of those receiving their bills online.
Impacting the youth
The youth tends to be more cautious with paper bills. Only 9% of 18-24-year-olds who receive their bills online say they check them for errors.
