Top Gear's Clarkson Forced Into U-Turn
Updated:12:10, Monday January 07, 2008

Motormouth Jeremy Clarkson - who derided the loss of two computer discs containing benefit claimants' personal details - has been hit by an internet scam.

Clarkson forced to eat humble pieThe Top Gear presenter and pundit described the loss of the bank details of seven million people as a "storm in a teacup" despite fears of mass identity theft and fraud.

Clarkson printed his own bank details in a newspaper to hammer home the point that his money was still safe and the spectre of identity theft a sham.

He also gave instructions on how to find his address on the electoral roll and details about the car he drives.

However, in a rare moment of humility, Clarkson has now revealed he has lost at least £500 after an unidentified reader copied his details to set up a direct debit payable from his account to the British Diabetic Association.

The charity is one of many organisations which does not need a signature to set up a direct debit.