Internet hackers intent on committing identity fraud are selling the credit card information of thousands of British, an AFP report said.
A report from the daily The Times, quoted by AFP, said at least 400 credit card numbers were sold per day, along with other personal information such as dates of birth and mothers' maiden names.
The report said a credit card number fetched $1 in Internet chatrooms, whereas a card with a three-digit code was traded for $5.
Additional security information could add $10 to the asking price and a working personal identification number could raise the cost to $175 dollars, the report said.
The report also said thieves were not just targeting consumers who bought goods online, showing that Internet-based firms were not the only ones at risk.
The Times said the online gangs were thought to be operating out of eastern Europe and southeast Asia.