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Posted by The Natural Philosopher on 09/28/08 12:01
Anonymous wrote:
> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>
>> Its not possible to drain your account just knowing the sort codes and
>> account number. Check with your bank, but normally only YOU can
>> authorize outward transfers.
>>
>> Either by some telephoned shared secret, your physical signature, or
>> some kind of PIN.
>
> In theory you are right. However, banks don't check authorization too
> well and rely on their customers to tell them when a charge has been
> fraudulently made.
>
> In practice it is possible to take any amount of money from a bank
> account just using the account number.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7174760.stm
>
No, it isn't. First of all Clarkson would have had to have had relaxed
rules set up on his account.
Secondly only charities are allowed to use that route. Its hard to
profit by it other than setting up a charity and registering
it..criminal prefer other methods.
Thirdly, it was an obvious direct debit that showed up instantly. His
bank probably SHOULD have written to him confirming that they had set it
up. My guess is that someone at the bank decided 'serves him right' and
didn't...
You probably regularly give your card details including security code to
dozens of people over the phone, or on secure websites. It doesn't mean
that you instantly are going to get ripped.
However, in any case, check with your bank. People have been taking
wired salary cheques for years without problem. This just happens to be
someone you don't know that well, thats all.
If you are supremely bothered, set up an account specifically for the
purpose, and drain it every time it gets a transfer.
That way of your bank is negligent enough to allow someone to pull money
out of it without your authorisation, its their problem not yours.
> Bye!
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