April 18, 2006

By Peter Kenny

An investigation by The Times newspaper has found unscrupulous individuals selling credit card details over the internet.

The Times managed to find evidence of over 400 credit card details being sold every day. The information included the three digit security code on the reverse of a credit card, dates of birth, expiry date and most alarmingly the personal identification number (PIN) As well as important credit card information each of the card holders private home addresses and emails were also on show.

It is understood that the private credit card holders information is found by the consumer making purchases over the internet and by gaining access to conventional companies records. Alarmingly the information is not just sourced through the internet and it is not just internet based businesses that have to tighten their security networks.

The credit card details on offer were priced at 60p for a credit card number, this price rose to £2.95 if the card details came with a three digit security code normally found on the back of a credit card. The prices rose sharply with the more details on offer with a mothers maiden name details priced at £5.90 right up to £100 for a credit card with full information including the PIN.

The Times investigated further and traced the back to two UK firms, one a travel goods supplier and the other a computer sales company. Both have been informed of their security breach.

Chat rooms and forums are increasingly being used by crooks to advertise the stolen information.

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