Top Gear presenter, mulleted braggart and professional ignorant Jeremy Clarkson recently told the world that the loss of CDs containing millions of people's personal data was a "storm in a teacup". Then he got ripped off for £500 in an internet scam. Priceless.
To 'prove' that, er, the theft of personal data isn't a problem, Clarkson printed his bank details in The Sunday Times. He even described his car and spelt out the process of finding someone's home address on the electoral roll.
So is, as our hero suggests, the fear of identity theft worse than the dangers therein? Well... it really depends on how much you like owning £500. Clarkson's details were quickly used to set up a £500 direct debit payable from his account to the British Diabetic Association. And £500 was swiftly transferred. That's right, I said £500.
Just as well too. Non-technical people are lax enough in terms of data protection without being told by 'celebrities' that data theft is, and I quote Clarkson: "A palaver about nothing." So a bit of celeb data fraud may be no bad thing.
We all have a duty to make life difficult for thieves, and most of us can't afford to spend half a grand finding out that complacency isn't cool.
"I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake," says Clarkson. Yes, yes he was. Don't let the same thing happen to you.
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Comments
No Fan of Jeremy said: No it is not the same
don't give it back! said: Why should he get his money back from the bank He deliberately set out to prove that it wouldnt get nicked and he failed Surely it comes under the same thing as the bank not being liable if you give someone your pin number and then they nick your money
John said: Hey David 10108 havent you heard of verified by Visa or the Mastercard equiv The banks do try to do their bit Check it out
malcolmf said: In the immortal words of young Nelson the Simpsons one not the nautical one Har HarHe might be able to get his 500 back but what sort of a lowlife is he going to look when he separates a charity from the 500
David said: As its now almost commonplace to reveal your bank details to a myriad of companies when payments are made online isnt it time that payments should not be accepted until confirmation from your bank that you are willing to proceed surely it cant be that difficult when making payments for a window to your bank to appear securly and for the customer to enter a password before the transaction can completeIt may take a little longer but at least it would be confirmed by the customer before money is taken from your account
David said: As its now almost commonplace to reveal your bank details to a myriad of companies when payments are made online isnt it time that payments should not be accepted until confirmation from your bank that you are willing to proceed surely it cant be that difficult when making payments for a window to your bank to appear securly and for the customer to enter a password before the transaction can completeIt may take a little longer but at least it would be confirmed by the customer before money is taken from your account
No Fan of Jeremy said: Jeremy can get the 500 back That is the promise by the banks for Direct Debits Let me see a report saying a real crook has his money The banks should take more responsibility
No Fan of Jeremy said: Jeremy can get the 500 back That is the promise by the banks for Direct Debits Let me see a report saying a real crook has his money The banks should take more responsibility
GANDALF <|:-)> said: GANDALF lt-gt is thee and I am the bulge within Jeremys jeansAnd there was me thinking that I was the only wizardlt-gt within these wallsDue to the forum editor deciding to silence everyone and anyone who exposes him as a fragile servant I have taken the plunge and ventured outside the forum and into the real and truely entertaining PCA forum platformYes namely the BlogsGod save our true and brave leader Paul
dreamer (|:-)> said: quelle plonker rodney
h d mason said: The best news Ive had for yonksit really cheered me up
H.Vingalft said: agreed re the pieceOne day he will burst out of the jeans he wearsThey appear two to three sizes too small
Nice one Matt said: mulleted braggart and professional ignorant Jeremy Clarkson made me smileRecently Ive been impressed with the entertaining style used by some of the current PCA journalistsJust a quiet point between us that style of script would never be tolerated within the insidiously run and creaking forumI will be on the look-out for more of your entertaining prose Matt