As someone has already pointed out, this isn't an issue with what he did, but the UK banking system. The original details was published in an article in the Sunday Times - maybe available online. However the information that he supplied is available quite easily. Here in the UK, our cheques (yes that is how we spell it) has the Account Name, Sort Code (routing number I think the US equivalent is) and the Account number. He also gave information on how to find his address, although that would be easily done from public information.
With JUST that information no one should be able to take money from him. The Direct Debit was setup frequently and therefore he will get the money back immediately. The UK direct debit system is well regulated and the banks are under an obligation to refund the money. What is causing the noise in the UK is how easy it was for someone to set this up using public information. Furthermore more his bank (Barclays, one of the largest banks in the UK and the world) are hiding behind some UK legislation called the Data Protection Act. For those that don't know, Clarkson is the presenter of the most popular motoring show in the UK, and rants against the environmentalist lobby. it has been pointed out that instead of a diabetes charity, it would have been more amusing if it was a donation to Greenpeace or Friends of the Earth (both major environmental charities here in the UK). The comments on The Register's reporting of the story will help with the real concerns of the story: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/07/clarkson_bank_prank_backfires/ Hopefully that clears up some of the background to the story. Simon. ________________________________ From: Don Ely [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 08 January 2008 20:47 To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: [ISN] Clarkson stung after bank prank Someone share their bank account info and routing codes with me and see if "I" get caught... :P Billionaires only need apply!!!! None of you IT folk here qualify... On Jan 8, 2008 12:43 PM, Micheal Espinola Jr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote: He's a total idiot. If I was under 18 again, *I* would have cleaned him out. On Jan 8, 2008 3:32 PM, Don Ely <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote: He's an a$$h4t. He got lucky... If someone really wanted to, they could have cleaned him out... It's absolutely stupid to provide that kind of information in a public forum and NOT expect to get exploited... He's an Idiot On Jan 8, 2008 12:28 PM, Graeme Carstairs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote: What this proves is that the Direct Debit scheme in the UK is flawed. You used to have to sign a form to declare you wanted the Direct Debit set up. Now you just need bank account details. Though he will get his money back instantly as the direct debit scheme is fully guaranteed and any miss or fraudulent payment is covered. Also his claims that there is nothing the bank can do under the data protection act is correct the police. can investigate who setup the payment as part of a criminal investigation. His details are out there as he said before he published them, and it was open to anyone to use. Though he may come across as pompous and arrogant Clarkson is one of the best presenters on TV. I dont think he should need to say sorry because he made a mistake, as he was correct, no one has stolen his money, he will get it back instantly as it was a fraudulent DD charge. On Jan 8, 2008 5:57 PM, Kurt Buff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote: He's a useful idiot, in this case. He's provided his audience with proof positive that losing control of your PII is a *bad* thing. Heh. On Jan 8, 2008 8:06 AM, Don Ely < [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote: > > I gathered that from reading the article... again I say; Idiot > > > > > On Jan 8, 2008 8:00 AM, James Rankin < [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL > PROTECTED]>> wrote: > > > > > I saw that yesterday and laughed my ass off. For non-Brits unfamiliar with > Jeremy Clarkson, he is supremely arrogant and self-assured, which makes it > all the more funny. > > > > I still love watching him on Top Gear though.... > > > > > > > > > > > > On 08/01/2008, Kurt Buff < [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> > > wrote: > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > > From: InfoSec News < [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> > > > Date: Jan 8, 2008 12:02 AM > > > Subject: [ISN] Clarkson stung after bank prank > > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > > > > > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7174760.stm > > > > > > 7 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 he discovered a reader had > > > used the details to create a 500 direct debit to the charity Diabetes > > > UK. > > > > > > Clarkson published details of his Barclays account in the Sun newspaper, > > > including his account number and sort code. He even told people how to > > > find out his address. > > > > > > "All you'll be able to do with them is put money into my account. Not > > > take it out. Honestly, I've never known such a palaver about nothing," > > > he told readers. > > > > > > But he was proved wrong, as the 47-year-old wrote in his Sunday Times > > > column. > > > > > > "I opened my bank statement this morning to find out that someone has > > > set up a direct debit which automatically takes 500 from my account," he > > > said. > > > > > > "The bank cannot find out who did this because of the Data Protection > > > Act and they cannot stop it from happening again. > > > > > > "I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake." > > > > > > Police were called in to search for the two discs, which contained the > > > entire database of child benefit claimants and apparently got lost in > > > the post in October 2007. > > > > > > They were posted from HM Revenue and Customs offices in Tyne and Wear, > > > but never turned up at their destination - the National Audit Office. > > > > > > The loss, which led to an apology from Prime Minister Gordon Brown, > > > created fears of identity fraud. > > > > > > 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." > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________________ > > > Visit InfoSec News > > > http://www.infosecnews.org/ > > > > > > ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ > > > ~ < http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm > ~ > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > James Rankin > > Tel: +44 7902 193912 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm > ~ -- "Good News Everyone, you just received an e-mail from me." -- ME2 ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~
