Credit card numbers 'handed over in security software scam'

Fake security software is being paid for on credit cards, one expert says.

People are willingly handing over their credit card details to pay for fake security software in a scam, according to one industry expert.

Vincent Weafer, vice-president of Symantec - which supplies software and services to protect against online risks - said people think they are buying real protection, but they are not, Reuters reported.

He added: "Virtually everything we see today is fake AV (anti-virus). It's such a money-making racket."

In a typical scam of this kind a notice flashes up on the screen stating that the user has a virus and therefore the individual needs to buy security software in order to ensure the problem does not worsen.

A link is provided to purchase the equipment and people then use an Aussie credit card to complete the transaction. These credit cards can then be used at any point.

Earlier this week, a man was arrested at Brisbane airport after it was found he had all the tools needed to skim credit cards.

By Kate Guthrie