TheEuropean Commission has confirmed that on 21 October 2008 Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of several smart card chips producers in several Member States. These chips are used for the production of smart cards, such as telephone SIM cards, bank cards and identity cards.

The plot for ID Cards trudges on: The first identity cards from the government’s controversial national scheme have been unveiled. The biometric card will be issued from November, initially to non-EU students and marriage visa holders. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the cards would allow people to “easily and securely prove their identity”. So? Smith claims that these cards

THE Treasury has confirmed it has appointed consultants to look at whether the Royal Mail could be privatised.

I've just had a letter from my credit card company advising my that my credit limit has been increased by roughly 30 per cent; obviously I had not requested this increase, nor do I need it (I've never paid a penny of interest on credit card debt, ever). I use my credit card solely as a means of payment where my debit cards (Maestro and charge cards) are not accepted and the full outstanding

Credit Cards - Motorists could recoup driving fines from credit card payments - 17/08/2009 It has been revealed that drivers could gain back the money paid in fines on their credit cards. Over the years, motorists have paid millions of pounds in parking fines, but they now could be in line for refunds, after a test case ruled that town hall surcharges imposed for paying by credit cards are unlawfu...

Oh Lord. I’ve been asked to step in at short notice into a Wed am “adversarial discussion” about transport smart cards. It’s organised by Smartex, the descendant of the Smart Card Club which lobbied so hard for UK ID cards and every conceivable other deployment of these stupid and annoying little pieces of plastic. I know damn all about transport smart cards. What do we wan...

Despite the fact that the Operational Guidance to Local Authorities states: 10.17 Paying by online debit and credit cards is convenient for many motorists and is more secure for local authorities. The electronic card readers automatically seeks authorisation for values previously agreed between the card holder and the card company, and automatically bars any ‘blacklisted’ cards. Audito...

Daily Fail Gordon Brown's claims for the £4.5billion ID cards project have been disputed by one of the Government's own electronic security experts. The Prime Minister and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith have repeatedly said that ID cards will help thwart terror attacks. Mr Brown said a national ID card scheme could 'disrupt terrorists' while Miss Smith has claimed ID cards w...

THE Treasury has confirmed it has appointed consultants to look at whether the Royal Mail could be privatised.

Nanny's much derided id card scheme has been revealed as cheap and slimy way to make money. Those of you who are undergoing a sex change will be allowed two cards, one in each gender. However, you will have to pay twice. Women who want to change their names when they marry will have to pay £100, and will have to update their entry on the new ID cards database and pay £30 if they w...