TIS Conducts 'Cashless Crime Prevention Awareness Survey'! While About 60% Pay Attention to Cashless Security, About 60% 'Reuse Passwords', Revealing a Gap Between Awareness and Behavior

TIS Inc. of the TIS INTEC Group (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yasushi Okamoto; hereinafter 'TIS') announced that it has conducted a 'Cashless Crime Prevention Awareness Survey' targeting 600 men and women nationwide aged 15-69 who have used cashless payments. The survey investigated awareness of fraudulent use, scams, and crime prevention measures related to cashless payments.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the ratio of cashless payments in Japan is steadily increasing to 58% in 2025. The goal is to raise this to 65% by 2030, and eventually to 80%, with necessary environmental developments underway *1. TIS has identified 'financial inclusion' as one of the social issues to focus on, and is working on system development to realize safe and smooth cashless payments.

Recently, as the center of payment shifts from wallets to smartphones due to the spread of cashless transactions, new risks have emerged. According to the National Police Agency, the total damage caused by fraudulent remittances in internet banking in 2025 exceeded 10 billion yen for the first time, reaching approximately 10.4 billion yen. About 90% of the fraudulent remittance methods involved 'phishing,' where users are directed to fake websites via emails pretending to be real companies to steal information such as passwords. The number of reports in 2025 hit a record high of 2.45 million *2. While cashless payments are becoming more widespread, these problems are also occurring frequently.

In this survey, by clarifying the damage situation of fraudulent use related to cashless payments, its recognition level, and people's crime prevention awareness towards the problem, we considered the perspectives required for the development of a cashless society in the future.

*1 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 'Calculated the Cashless Payment Ratio for 2025' https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2025/03/20260331006/20260331006.html

*2 National Police Agency Cyber Police Bureau 'Information on Threats Surrounding Cyberspace in 2025' https://www.npa.go.jp/publications/statistics/cybersecurity/data/R7/R07_cyber_jousei.pdf

[Survey Overview] Survey Method: Internet research Survey Period: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Friday, February 20, 2026 Survey Target: A total of 600 men and women nationwide aged 15-69 who have used cashless payments *3. *3 Cashless payment refers to electronic money, transportation IC cards, barcode payments, credit cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, smartphone payments, and bank transfers. [Percentages of response results are rounded to one decimal place. Therefore, the total percentage may not equal 100%.]

'Cashless Crime Prevention Awareness Survey' Detailed Results Survey Result Topics About 1 in 7 people have 'experienced cashless damage in the past,' such as unauthorized use of credit cards. There are also troubles with low recognition, such as 'information extraction through the use of free Wi-Fi.'

About 60% have the habit of 'reusing the same password.' By age group, teenagers are at the top. The reason tends to 'prioritize convenience over avoiding danger.'

About 60% answered that they 'pay attention' to crime prevention measures in cashless payments. On the other hand, the number of respondents in their 10s to 30s who 'do not take crime prevention measures for cashless payments' is twice as high as those in their 40s to 60s.

About 30% have experienced losing a wallet or smartphone! Over 60% fear 'losing a smartphone' more than a wallet. Especially among young people, there is a tendency to fear 'losing a smartphone.'

More than 60% answered, 'I don't think I am susceptible to scams or fraudulent use in cashless payments.'

The payment method that can be used with peace of mind is highest at 24.8% for 'payment means/methods with authentication such as biometrics or PINs.'

1. About 1 in 7 people have 'experienced cashless damage in the past,' such as unauthorized use of credit cards. There are also troubles with low recognition, such as 'information extraction through the use of free Wi-Fi.' Regarding experiences of damage such as fraudulent use or scams related to credit cards and smartphones, 13.8% of themselves and 15.3% of family members, acquaintances, or friends answered that they have experienced some kind of damage *4. For both their own experiences and those of their family, acquaintances, and friends, 'fraudulent use due to leakage of passwords or PINs' was the most common result in multiple responses *4. Regarding the recognition of fraudulent use and troubles, regarding 'fraudulent use through the use of free Wi-Fi,' the percentage of people who answered 'I have never seen or heard of it and do not know' was the highest at 26.7% *5, indicating some troubles are still not well recognized.

*4 Multiple answers: Overall n=600 *5 Single answer: Overall n=600

2. About 60% use the same password...