It's different for every country but for the article's example of the UK, Jeremy Clarkson put his bank account details in a column and got owned by someone setting up a direct debit from his account https://www.theguardian.com/money/2008/jan/07/personalfinanc...
Clarkson wasn't doing the bank any favors by posting his info, however this is the bank's failure to properly verify the transaction(s). The bank was tricked, and the bank is responsible for this error. It's fraud, plain and simple.
The article ends with him saying "I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake" but this is just his schtick, it's factually incorrect.
I live in a small community and many local charities and non-profits post their bank info online, so that people may make donations by bank transfer or standing orders. Fraudsters periodically manage to trick the local banks into transferring money from the charity accounts and everyone freaks out, which is complete bullshit. The banks always restore the funds, and scold the charities for having this info online. I've experienced this myself at two different organisations. As a result charities become more reluctant to publicise their bank info and predictably, donations lessen.
It's important to keep perspective and hold the responsible party accountable, instead of trying to compensate for the bank's failings.
Yeah, direct debit is the only way I can think of this to happen where it is not a bank error (like in a previous reply). While certainly a convenience, I am still a little bit wary of allowing any company to automatically take money out of my bank account directly.
Having an automatic credit card payment is something slightly different though.
The article ends with him saying "I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake" but this is just his schtick, it's factually incorrect.
I live in a small community and many local charities and non-profits post their bank info online, so that people may make donations by bank transfer or standing orders. Fraudsters periodically manage to trick the local banks into transferring money from the charity accounts and everyone freaks out, which is complete bullshit. The banks always restore the funds, and scold the charities for having this info online. I've experienced this myself at two different organisations. As a result charities become more reluctant to publicise their bank info and predictably, donations lessen.
It's important to keep perspective and hold the responsible party accountable, instead of trying to compensate for the bank's failings.