Credit card pin number security cannot always be guaranteed when pin numbers are sent by post, researchers have warned.
Poor quality printing used by some credit card providers means that pin numbers sent in 'secure' stationary may sometimes be readable just by shining a strong light on the envelope.
A Cambridge university research team, who launched an investigation after a colleague realised that their credit card pin was visible when it was sent to them, have raised the alarm.
The team found that a simple bright light revealed the number in some cases. Scanned letters could also be readjusted with simple software, such as Photoshop, to enhance the print.
"We were surprised that it could be done so easily," said researcher Mike Bond.
A spokeswoman for Apacs, the industry body responsible for UK payments systems, told the BBC that any risk involved would be minimal. Very little credit card fraud is caused by Pin theft alone she said, as the number is useless without the corresponding card.
Pin based security is "inherently" safer than credit card signatures, the spokeswoman added.
PIN security compromised, says research
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PIN security compromised, says research
Fri, 26 Aug 2005
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