Consumers looking for variety of fraud alerts

Being aware fraud and identity theft is one way that consumers can protect themselves against any extended financial damage associated with these crimes.

A recent survey shows that a majority of consumers would prefer that their lending or banking institutions notify them through a number of means when their accounts may have been affected by fraud. Of those polled, 89 percent said they would want to be alerted through more than one method of communication, such as a phone call, text message or email.

The poll was conducted by Harris Interactive for SoundBite Communications Inc., a provider of multi-channel communications services. Of the methods with which financial institutions can use to alert consumers to fraud, calling their home phone topped the list at 84 percent. However, cellphones had a strong showing at 60 percent, while email came in at 54 percent.

"The survey shows that the primary way for banks and card issuers to improve the customer experience when fraudulent activity is suspected is to know the best methods to contact the cardholder," said SoundBite Communications vice president of financial services Matt Edmunds.