Veritape’s recent discovery that out of the 39% of call centres that knew about PCI (Payment Card Industry) Compliance only 3% actually wiped card data from call recordings is disturbing enough. More disturbing though are the facts and figures concerning lost card data. In 2008, 285 million card records were lost worldwide. Large companies such as TJX, Heartland Payment Systems and Card Systems have also suffered huge losses. PCI Compliance should be bigger news – yet it isn’t. Most companies still have no idea just how much at risk they are. And the best way to stop thieves getting your customer’s card data? Simply don’t store it. Easy. Now all we need is for call centres to wake up and smell the larceny.