Watch your bank direct debits

Fraud alert!

A BBC report states that it only needs your bank sort code and your account number for anyone to set up a direct debit payment in your name.    A cross check of name and address is NOT done.

The report omitted to say that that the sort code and account number appears on the bottom of cheques, so anyone receiving a payment by cheque will be aware of it.

The bank direct debit guarantee scheme will ensure that your get your money back in the event of an fraud set-up AFTER you have detected and reported it to your bank - so keep an eye on your payments.