Newcastle City Council has said it accidentally put 54,000 credit- and debit-card details on a computer system that could be accessed externally.details covering transactions between February 2006 and April 2007, covering payments to the council including council tax, business rates, parking fines, and rent payments.   more »

In the UK the government have issued rules to recruitment agencies that they must collect proof of identity by way of copies of passports and driving licences before the agency can work on your behalf. If ever there was a half baked idea and an invitation to phishers and scam merchants this has got to be it, and something that ID cards will only assist the scammers.   more »

A 'horrifying' number numbers of banks, shops and Government departments are said to be fuelling a £1.7billion a year crime racket by failing to protect people's privacy. They have been caught dumping customers' details in public waste bins or leaving personal information for all to see online.Why is the Information Commissioners Office doing so little about it. Where are the fines, where are the court cases.   more »