M5 Bungle On Credit Card Data
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday May 10, 2000
About 30,000 motorists participating in the M5 tollway's cashback scheme have been sent other people's credit card details in a bungle blamed on a computer misprint.
But the tollway's operator, Interlink, says client privacy is not at risk.
An Interlink spokesman, Mr John Gardiner, said: ``We have been assured [by our bankers] that there is no risk to customer privacy."
The statements allow regular users, who prepay their toll, to claim reimbursement under the Government's cashback scheme.
It was introduced by the Carr Government in late 1996 after it broke its election promise to lift the toll on the privately operated motorway.
Motorists deposit money with Interlink and receive a swipe card for use on the M5. When they receive their statement, they can claim a refund from the RTA.
The Opposition spokesman for western Sydney and an M5 user, Mr Charlie Lynn, received a statement which lists another person's credit card number and expiry date.
The first four digits of the number which identify the bank which issued the card and the credit card type were blocked out.
Mr Lynn said he was concerned that another account holder had been given his credit card details.
``If you've got some Filipino that can bring the world's computer system to its knees, then I am sure you've got someone ... who may work out a way to use this for their advantage and I think that's the real danger."
© 2000 Sydney Morning Herald
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