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Which? hadn't even approved its own failed site

Industry cringes as Which? hunt begins for the flaw that undermined its credibility...

By Chris Holbrook

Published: 22 June 2001 16:44 BST

The Consumers' Association is currently conducting a full investigation into a security blunder that exposed thousands of its customers' credit card details online.

Ironically the flawed site, TaxCalc, was excluded from the Consumers' Association's own Web Trader Scheme, which vets e-tailers who offer secure online shopping and financial services.

Ian Loughran, a spokesman for BlackStar.co.uk, a member of the Web Trader Scheme, said he is embarrassed for the consumer watchdog and agreed it had undermined its own protection scheme.

Loughran added: "It can't be good from their perspective, asking other people to comply with their standards. It's pretty embarrassing for them."

A spokesman for Which? said they were still fully committed to selling online and will continue to advise people how to shop online safely, despite the organisation's own gaffe.

A second spokesman for Which? said: "It's a mystery why TaxCalc didn't fall within the scheme."

For related news see:
Which? exposes credit card numbers online
http://www.silicon.com/a45237
Internet fraudsters bag £100,000 booty
http://www.silicon.com/a45129
Nokia flaw leaves your personal details online
http://www.silicon.com/a44948
.NET users 'wide open' to fraud
http://www.silicon.com/a44829

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