Almost a quarter (24 percent) of UK adults considers that retailers are primarily responsible for making online shopping safer, a recent survey reveals. Significantly, the research also indicates that only 12 percent of polled consumers see themselves as personally responsible.

Moreover, sixteen percent of respondents feel that banks are answerable, whilst 12 percent believe their ISPs are responsible. The same percentage said the government or the card schemes are accountable. Only 5 percent of respondents feel the police own responsibility for making online shopping safer.

The survey has also revealed that UK online shoppers are taking measures to protect themselves. Eighty-five percent of respondents say they look for signs that the payment page is secure, such as the green address bar; the same percent prefer to buy online from reputable retailers. 3D Secure schemes (Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode) are being used by 69 percent of respondents, whilst card reader usage increased slightly in 2009 – in all, 29 percent of consumers now employ such devices as part of their online banking process.

The UK fraud survey was commissioned by CyberSource and conducted by market researchers Vanson Bourne and GfK NOP.