In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
In article ,
thescullster wrote:
Came to renew the car tax last week and the credit card is near limit.

Don't like using debit card on-line due to (perceived) lack of
protection against fraud etc. So decided to use debit card and touch
tone automated phone renewal.

Although this takes much careful input of numbers into phone, it all
went smoothly.

Got to wondering whether there are security loopholes using this method.
Clearly with on-line card detail entry there is possibility of key log
virus, scam sites, wireless sniffing (if you use wireless for financial
transactions - I don't). But are there equivalent weaknesses in these
automated phone transaction systems?

Also, does anyone know if a written acknowledgement is sent as proof of
tax status?

Dunno about acknowledgement. You can tick a box for this online. Never
done it by phone - no option to press a button for one?

My feeling is it would be very much easier to hack into a phone line and
get your details that way - if anyone could be bothered. Mobile more
difficult.

To do that you would have to know which phone line to listen to and
when. This would require access to and knowledge of an exchange or
street cab. Whereas to hack online transactions the hacker can sit at
home and generate a suitable malware and let it spread itself and pick
up combinations of user id/password or card no/security code at random
You do know you pay extra to use a credit card over a debit card for VED?

Must admit I rely on Spybot to tell me if anyone tries to install a nasty
here.

As should everyone - other ant-nasty software tools are available
--
bert