Hackers steal details of Shell customers

Oil giant Shell is warning customers to be on the lookout for suspicious transactions on their bank statements after hackers stole personal details of up to 6000 customers.

Police on both sides of the Tasman are investigating the thefts, first discovered by Shell on February 17.

Company spokeswoman Jackie Maitland yesterday confirmed the information had been stolen from online fuel-card application forms hosted by a "contractor".

Some 1400 would-be card users in New Zealand have been affected and another 4500 in Australia.

The information stolen was of a type normally found on business cards and cheques, including names, addresses and bank details, Ms Maitland said.

All potential victims had been contacted and police had not found evidence of "illegal actions as yet".

Card applicants should watch their bank statements over coming months and report any suspicious transactions to police and Shell.