There are some things that happen to other people, but never happen to you, right?

For example, identity fraud, credit card cloning and thieving of personal data.

Well, it happened to me today. While making a simple online transaction with a major UK retailer, one of my personal cards was refused three times.

When I rang the card issuer I was told that an outfit called Usenet was trying to obtain a payment. They knew the name, so blocked the card immediately. No money was lost to either side.

But it just shows you how easily your identity and financial infrastructure can be compromised by clever hacks and villains.

The only loss to me is having to wait a week for a new card to arrive.

Just another level of inconvenience to add to the new age of anxiety.