8 January 2008
A warning about bank account fraud has come from a somewhat unlikely source - professional contrarian Jeremy Clarkson.
The story stems from the furore provoked by the recent security lapse at HM Revenue & Customs, which saw two discs containing the personal details of around 25 million Britons lost by a courier service.
In his popular column for the Sun newspaper, the Top Gear presenter had published his account number in a bid to show that personal security fears about such details being lost were overblown.
"All you'll be able to do with [the details] is put money into my account. Not take it out. Honestly, I've never known such a palaver about nothing," he wrote.
However, a wily thief proved Mr Clarkson wrong by using the details to set up a £500 Direct Debit on the account.
Following the chastening experience, the controversy-loving TV host wrote in the Times that he had been shown that bank account details getting into the wrong hands did indeed represent a security risk.
"I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake," he added.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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