The study of consumer attitudes, showed that nearly three out of every four people in the country believe that the global recession has made them more vulnerable to identity theft or other types of fraud.

More than two-thirds of the 1000 respondents polled in February, were "extremely'' or ''very'' concerned about thieves stealing their credit card information. Four in ten Americans were "extremely" or "very" concerned about viruses and unsolicited e-mails. Many more were equally concerned about shopping and banking online.

The survey found a 12 percent uptick in fears about overall financial security since September, the last time a Unisys poll was taken. Economic worries now rank as Americans' No. 1 security fear. Seventy-five percent of Americans worry about being unable to meet financial obligations.

Those same surveyed Americans reported that they were much less concerned with terrorism.