One million U.K. children make illicit online purchases

LONDON - Nearly one million UK children are using their parents' credit cards to shop online without their knowledge, says CPP Group.

A survey of 8-16 year olds by the 'life assistance' company - it sells insurance products - revealed that children are spending on average of £25 (US$48) for every illicit purchase. However, 5 per cent are shelling out between £75 and £150 a time, racking up to £191m annually.

The research also highlighted that 70 per cent of UK children know the sites where their parents shop online and a further 20 percent know the passwords and usernames for their parents online shopping accounts.

Parents are in the dark when it comes to their kids behaviour as only two per cent think their children would make online purchases without their permission and only six percent admitted their kids have access to their credit card details.

However, with 44 percent of parents book-marking their favourite online shopping sites and a third saving their bank card details online, they're making it very easy for their children to buy online without their knowledge.

"Being lax with details online could not only tempt children into making sneaky purchases online, but also exposes parents to the dangers of online fraud. Web fraudsters are getting increasingly sophisticated, and card-not-present fraud is on the rise," said Michael Lynch, an identity theft expert at CPP.

Related Content

Privacy commissioners in Canada say more is needed to fight identity theft than just Criminal Code change
Privacy officials have welcomed a proposed legislation that would give law enforcement a better arsenal of tools to go after fraudsters and identity thieves, but cautioned the statute alone will not eradicate the increasing problem of identity theft.

Prepaid credit cards - a double-edged sword?
While offering a measure of protection from online identity theft, prepaid credit cards - for those without bank accounts and teens without self-control - may trigger other problems.

Has Internet killed the ‘King’s English’?
Language changes with time. But should today's language of virtual communication kill the King's English? That's the stark question we face.

Comments (1)

Security Concultant

by Paul L 11/14/2008 12:00:00 AMAside from the fact that consumers are still disclosing credit or debit data to intermediaries exposing themselves to fraud and identity theft, now their children! Check these guys' solution to online payment: www.kanatait.com