e-mailing data

Speculator2000

I'm using a RBOS Maestro Visa to handle deposits and withdrawals from a number of on-line bookmakers both in the UK and abroad.
Opening these accounts involves giving a name, address, 'phone number, 16 digit card number and three digit security number on the signature strip.

One Australian bookie (Centrebet) is also asking for a scan of both the front and back of the Visa as well as a scan of my passport, to include a legible signature. They also want a scan of a utility bill.

Would providing this be a formula for identity theft or not, given that opening any kind of internet account (eg with eBay etc) would require all this information apart from the scan of passport, card itself, signature and utility bill?

---lee---

Never, ever email this type of information.

Legit sites like ebay and other that collect this sort of information encrypt it with SSL (that's why you can see the padlock in the bottom corner of your browser window). Encrypting with SSL means that nobody without the private key (i.e. the site owner) can read the information if they intercept it on route.

I also think that if you email your credit card information, your card provider will not cover you against fraud - it's not the same as handing your card over to a shop assitant, the information can be intercepted and read by anyone.