E-Commerce Times reports that European consumers are turning away from online banking and commerce by fears of identity theft and fraud, according to survey results by Entrust, which showed that 13 percent of consumers in the U.K. and Germany have decreased or stopped online banking in the past 12 months because of concerns over identity theft, and 12 percent of respondents decreased or stopped conducting e-commerce. Entrust did a similar survey for North America last fall.

The European poll also revealed that among those not active in online banking, 66 percent in the U.K. and 72 percent in Germany said they would be more active if security were improved, compared with 72 percent in North America. Among consumers who use online banking at least once a month, 80 percent in the U.K. and 90 percent in Germany said they'd take advantage of additional, higher value e-services if their identities were better protected. That compares with 90 percent in North America.