On Wed, 2008-01-09 at 14:59 +0000, Badri Natarajan wrote: > Not aware of a similar system in India so it should be fine. Even for the > UK - you would also need the person's home address (as used by the bank), > and even then there is the confirmation letter which Clarkson probably > ignored.
i can't imagine why a bank would initiate a direct debit without some sort of affirmative authorisation. an address is not an authorisation. at least some sort of PIN or other password should be required, if not a signature. i know that my dutch bank won't set up a direct debit without either a signature on paper, or an electronic authorisation done through their challenge-response system. so having my bank details and address won't let anyone take money from me. indeed, whenever i want someone to pay me, it's quite normal to give them my bank details and address, since dutch banks don't use cheques and all payments are direct (electronic). -rishab
