ID Fraud blunder leaves Jeremy Clarkson red faced and shows not even the rich and famous are immune to ID Fraud.
Top Gear Presenter Jeremy Clarkson has uncharacteristically admitted mistake after mocking the fear of identity theft only to become a victim himself.
Responding to the furor following the lost CDs by HM Revenues and Customs containing the banking details of 7 million British families at the end of last year, Clarkson used his Sunday Times column to dismiss the panic surrounding identity theft, "I have never known such a palaver about nothing. The fact is we happily hand over cheques to all sorts of unsavoury people all day long without a moment's thought. We have nothing to fear."
Clarkson then went on to put his money where his mouth is by publishing his personal bank details, as well as information about finding his address and regarding the car he drives.
Soon after, Clarkson was forced to publicly remove his foot from said mouth as he discovered a £500 direct debit had been set up in his name payable to the British Diabetic Association. The charity, like many other organizations, does not require a signature to set up the direct debit. The bank is unable to find out who perpetrated the crime due to the Data Protection Act.
“I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake" said Clarkson. "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."
Although it is amusing to learn of a blunder by such a self-assured character like Jeremy Clarkson, this story also highlights the dangers associated with identity theft. The Home Office currently estimates that ID crime costs the taxpayer a total of £1.7 billion a year and is Britain's fastest growing crime.
