Since there is little evidence that people intend to buy multiple tablets, each new iPad owner represents a lost customer for these firms.

FORBES: Why The New IPad Retail Plans Matter

The incident followed dozens of cases where banks and other financial institutions have lost customer details - whether through negligence or criminal activities - both in the UK and around the world.

BBC: Indian call centres say they are as good as any

"If they don't go to your direct site, you can kind of say you lost the customer, " he said.

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