* of networked storage to business users searching for the easiest and most technologically advanced way to share, secure and protect their most important data, including productivity application data, media files, backup data, and other digital files.

With business suddenly booming, the company tapped the services of Macquarie Hosting to ensure customer data was encrypted and firewalls were secure.

Compliance with the data security standard has opened the door to billions of dollars worth of business, according to Macquarie Telecom hosting managing director Aidan Tudehope.

Using tiny technology disguised as part of the machine, the thieves then press new cards with customers' numbers and run amok

stolen card information is being sold on the black market

stolen bank account details, email accounts, and even full identities

Where once stolen cards used to be used fairly quickly making it easy to detect and cancel the card overseas fraudsters now bought the card details in bulk and stockpiled them for later use, making it difficult to detect where or when the information was stolen.

is daughter was among those who received the fake appeal and alerted him. The Balmain resident tried to log in to his Facebook account to see what was happening but couldn't.

"It said my email wasn't registered," he says.

Identity theft and scams on social networking sites, though, are not uncommon occurrences.