BBC Claims Card Info Auction in India Exists

BBC Claims Card Info Auction in India Exists

Reporters from BBC claims they have met a someone from India who sells personal information of UK residents.  The man, identified as Saurabh Sachar, reportedly auctioned private data like names, addresses, and post codes to two reporters disguised as fraudsters. 


Sachar told BBC reporters he could produce credit and debit card data every week for only $10 per card.  He said he obtained the information from call center agents in India handling mobile phone sales and billing. Most of the data sold to the undercover reporters were valid, except for the credit and debit card numbers attached.  



Outsourcing of businesses in the UK to Indian call centers and BPO firms is often debated due to privacy concerns.  The skyrocketing unemployment rate and theconflict against UK's data protection laws are among the reasons pointed.



On the other hand, Indian call centers assert they have consistently laid out technology assets agreement to employees, restricting them to bring any paper or mobile phones inside the production area to avoid pilfering of confidential data.  Employees are also prohibited to access the internet as an added security to private information.  Furthermore, IT support teams are heavily deployed monitor potential data theft.