Card numbers cost less than a daily newspaper.

Bank Details For Sale at less than Five Pounds

11-April-2008, Writes Dan Drage dan.drage@consumerchoices.co.uk

Stolen financial data containing the account and sort code numbers of UK residents changes hands for only £5 in online crime portals.

Criminals are also targeting social networking sites, according to a report into online crime by web security firm Symantec.

According to the report, criminals are turning from online banking to social networks because their users are less careful. UK banking data is the most popular commodity to feature on the online black market.

The most frequently targeted accounts belonged to high-value businesses, as the details could be sold for more than those of accounts with lower balances belonging to consumers.

Personalised and sophisticated attacks on the confidential details of individual consumers are also on the rise however. The data is sold most frequently via instant-message groups or Web forums that are live for only a few days or even hours.

In a direct parallel of regular open markets, hackers are beginning to sell UK financial data in bundles. 50 credit card numbers can be bought for £20, or 500 for £100, representing savings for bulk buying.

Stolen E-bay, Myspace and Facebook accounts are also up for sale.

Chris Eagle, Commercial Manager at Credit Choices, is into vigilance:

‘Take a few minutes to digest our online security and safe banking tips. They could prove invaluable, and save you the time and trouble it takes to straighten out your finances once you’ve become a victim of online crime.’