| According to new figures released by the BBC, | | | | two BBC journalists posed as computer hackers |
| internet credit and debit card fraud in the UK is a | | | | in order to infiltrate a website that sold thousands |
| much bigger problem than it was previously | | | | of credit card details that were stolen online from |
| thought. This makes it essential for small | | | | small retail businesses. The journalists obtained the |
| businesses with ecommerce websites to ensure | | | | details of these stolen cards and when they were |
| that they are offering their customers a secure | | | | used, they traced the transactions to a number |
| online payment method. Failure to do this could | | | | of UK addresses. It is thought that the BBC has |
| reduce online sales or even damage your | | | | now passed this information on to the police. |
| reputation as a business. | | | | Getting Away with It |
| The Rise of Internet Crime | | | | Andrew McClelland, a spokesperson for the |
| Data obtained from the banking industry indicates | | | | Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), which is |
| that card losses from internet, phone and mail | | | | an organisation that represents online retailers, |
| order crime amounted to a massive £290.5m in | | | | said that these statistics showed that despite the |
| 2007. However, the BBC statistics showed that | | | | online marketplace making a significant contribution |
| this amount could amount to as much as £500m | | | | to the UK economy, it was still too easy to |
| if failed attempts at internet crime were also | | | | commit fraud and other crimes on the internet. |
| taken into account. These statistics add weight to | | | | He said: “If you're committing a crime online |
| the Tories’ argument that the government | | | | then there is a high probability that you'll get away |
| should appoint a minister to deal specifically with | | | | with it and even if you are caught a fairly high |
| internet crime. However, government ministers | | | | probability again that the punishment won't be |
| have already stated that they have invested a | | | | that severe.” |
| significant £29m towards the fighting of online | | | | Fraud Prevention and Protection |
| crime and they have also vowed to work with | | | | Until the government decide to do more to |
| the banking industry in order to encourage online | | | | combat the ever-increasing problem of internet |
| retailers to adopt more anti-fraud devices. | | | | fraud, one of the only ways to help prevent it is |
| Undercover Investigation | | | | through responsible retailing. Therefore, in order to |
| The BBC figures were obtained after BBC News | | | | better protect their customers from credit and |
| underwent an undercover operation into credit | | | | debit card fraud on the internet, small businesses |
| card fraud, which revealed just how simple it was | | | | should ensure that their ecommerce websites are |
| to gain access to stolen credit and debit card | | | | as safe and secure as possible. |
| details online. During the undercover investigation, | | | | |