Direct debits are an exploit
1:35pm, 7th January 2008
TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has lost money after publishing his bank details in his newspaper column.
The Top Gear host revealed his account numbers after rubbishing the furore over the loss of 25 million people’s personal details on two computer discs.
He wanted to prove the story was a fuss about nothing.
But Clarkson admitted he was “wrong” after discovered a reader had used the details to create a £500 direct debit to the charity Diabetes UK.
You can probably get the money back from the bank eventually, but the semi-automated nature of direct debits makes their security depend on the secrecy of your account number and sort code. It is widely believed, at least by Jeremy Clarkson, that “All you’ll be able to do with them is put money into my account. Not take it out.”, so people don’t treat them as confidential.
Clarkson now says of the case: “Contrary to what I said at the time, we must go after the idiots who lost the discs and stick cocktail sticks in their eyes until they beg for mercy.”
I can just see the next story:
TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been blinded after advocating torture in his newspaper column.
The Top Gear host demanded justice be done to those responsible for the loss of 25 million people’s personal details on two computer discs.
He wanted to be funny, and other peoples’ pain is hilarious.
But Clarkson admitted he was “wrong” after a reader poked his eyes out as punishment for wearing leather jackets.
