Consumers' Association hit by major security flaw

Credit card details at risk

The Consumers' Association has shut its TaxCalc Web amid concerns that thousands of credit card details could have been stolen.

Some 2,700 people have been advised to cancel their credit cards after the security loophole was reported yesterday lunchtime.

The problem affects those who bought the Consumers' Association's tax calculation software, from the TaxCalc Web site.

At this stage it's not known if credit card and personal details have been stolen.

Kim Lavely, deputy director of the Consumers' Association, said: "This is a serious flaw in the security of the TaxCalc Web site and we're very concerned about it.

"As soon as we were made aware of the flaw we removed all personal and financial details from the TaxCalc site.

"We have already commissioned an independent security expert to conduct a thorough audit of the security of the site.

"The TaxCalc site will remain shut until this problem has been resolved.

"We are conducting all customers who have bought TaxCalc from this site informing them that their personal and financial details have been compromised.

"We are advising them to contact their credit card issuer to cancel their cards," she said. ®