WebProNews

A British newspaper learns how easy it is to pick up personal details on 1,000 bank customers. And Americans are affected too.

The Sun newspaper tabloid had its journalist pay a computer expert in New Delhi for the information. That person obtained credit card numbers, expiration dates, and security numbers from the cards from an assortment of contacts in Indian call centers.

India's chief of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), Kiran Karnik, says India remains a trustworthy place for outsourcing and vowed punishment for those involved.

"We have noted the report in the Sun resulting from an investigation by their reporter about the illegal sale of customer data and are seeking further details," Mr. Karnik said Thursday.

"We believe that any theft or breach of a customer's confidentiality must be treated extremely seriously. India, with its strong legal system and its independent judiciary, is a country that takes this responsibility extremely seriously," he added.

NASSCOM will work with City of London police, who have also launched an investigation into the Sun's claims. "NASSCOM will work with the legal authorities in the United Kingdom and India to ensure that those responsible for any criminal breaches are promptly prosecuted and face the maximum penalty," said Mr. Karnik.

The suspect in the case, a 24 year old IT worker, used to train call center staffers. He claims that he could get information on American bank clients as well as British ones.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.