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The IDG News Service article was well titled: "Fear of identity theft bad for business." Because it's the fear not actual thefts that's causing people to avoid using online services.

Data breaches are a security concern, just as are stolen laptops (some of which hold identity data). But, so far, none have been shown to lead to identity fraud. There are few if any cases in which identity data was deliberately stolen in an online transaction. Yet the general press has been full of stories based on this survey, all reporting on people's fear that online shopping can lead to identity theft.

It seems that we in the identity industry, those charged with either protecting identity data or providing the tools to do so, have more to fear from radio, TV and news reporters and their tabloid journalism about "identity theft" than we do from the thieves themselves.

I don't mean to minimize the care we should all take with identity data, but simply want to point out to you that these topics will come up and you should be prepared to pour a bit of cold water on the unwarranted fears that arise. Happy shopping!

Dave Kearns is a consultant and editor of IdM, the Journal of Identity Management.