More than 25 percent of U.S. consumers would be more willing to make mobile payments if they trusted the device’s security, according to a study by MEF, a mobile industry trade publication.

The study found that 38 percent of respondents to the study said they had made mobile payments in the last six months via their carrier. The MEF Global Consumer Survey looked at mobile use in nine countries with 8,530 participants.

“The study is proof that there has been a strong push with mobile commerce and payments in the past five years,” said Marjorie DeHey Daleo, North American general manager for MEF, London.

The study was conducted by OnDevice Research for MEF.

According to the study, consumer engagement has expanded globally.

Ninety-one percent of British consumers surveyed said they had used their mobile devices to either research or purchase an item. Similarly, 79 percent of Brazil respondents said they had made mobile payments.

Only 38 percent of U.S. consumers said they had made mobile payments in the last six months.

“The study shows there is more potential in the U.S., because mobile commerce hasn’t been embraced like it has been elsewhere in the world,” DeHey Daleo said.

The study cites security as the main reason consumers are hesitant to make mobile payments, with 26 percent of U.S. participants saying they do not trust their mobile device’s security.

The study found that 27 percent of respondents across all markets listed security as a reason to not purchase mobile items.