Barclays bank is facing the prospects of official fines after it emerged that more than 13 million customers have been exposed to potential fraud.
An investigation found users of the bankââ¬â¢s ââ¬Åcontactlessââ¬Â debit or credit cards, designed to make payment when held next to special ââ¬Åreadersââ¬Â, could have their details stolen without their knowledge.
But Channel 4 News found that special ââ¬Åreadersââ¬Â built into new mobile phones can take data from the cards in wallets and pockets in just one swipe.
Using data taken from a card, researchers commissioned by the programme were able to buy ââ¬Åmultiple goods onlineââ¬Â through Amazon.com.
The programme said it was only able to access the details of Barclay issued Visa cards as other banks and systems weren't accessible.
Thomas Cannon, of ViaForensics, a mobile phone security company which undertook the research, said: All I did was I tapped my phone over your wallet.
Using the wireless reader on the phone I was able to lift out the details from your card, that includes the long card number, the expiry date and your name.
None of it was encrypted, it was simply a case of the details coming out through the air. Guidelines from the UK Card Association state that the card holder's name should not be transmitted.
On Friday night the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, raised the prospect of potential fines for Barclays, which he said had ââ¬Åbig questionsââ¬Â to answer. Officials from his office are due to meet with Barclays executives on Monday.
It is estimated there are at least 15 million such contactless cards in circulation in Britain.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9163969/Barclays-contactless-cards-exposed-to-fraud.html
Question: Do any of you use these cards?
An investigation found users of the bankââ¬â¢s ââ¬Åcontactlessââ¬Â debit or credit cards, designed to make payment when held next to special ââ¬Åreadersââ¬Â, could have their details stolen without their knowledge.
But Channel 4 News found that special ââ¬Åreadersââ¬Â built into new mobile phones can take data from the cards in wallets and pockets in just one swipe.
Using data taken from a card, researchers commissioned by the programme were able to buy ââ¬Åmultiple goods onlineââ¬Â through Amazon.com.
The programme said it was only able to access the details of Barclay issued Visa cards as other banks and systems weren't accessible.
Thomas Cannon, of ViaForensics, a mobile phone security company which undertook the research, said: All I did was I tapped my phone over your wallet.
Using the wireless reader on the phone I was able to lift out the details from your card, that includes the long card number, the expiry date and your name.
None of it was encrypted, it was simply a case of the details coming out through the air. Guidelines from the UK Card Association state that the card holder's name should not be transmitted.
On Friday night the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, raised the prospect of potential fines for Barclays, which he said had ââ¬Åbig questionsââ¬Â to answer. Officials from his office are due to meet with Barclays executives on Monday.
It is estimated there are at least 15 million such contactless cards in circulation in Britain.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9163969/Barclays-contactless-cards-exposed-to-fraud.html
Question: Do any of you use these cards?
