The Make Money Fast Hall of Humiliation

Normally, around these parts we use the term "MMFool" to refer to someone who is involved in Make $$$$MONEY$$$$$ FA$T! schemes - oftentimes a "victim"/willing participant. This week, however, we present to you a new variety of the MMFool for Humiliation: someone who stands up, drops trou, and dares the world to kick him in the nuts - again, and again, and... AGAIN!

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has admitted he was wrong to brand the scandal of lost CDs containing the personal data of millions of Britons a "storm in a teacup" after falling victim to an internet scam.

Yes, he fell, all right - into a hole he dug himself! Gentle readers, meet Jeremy Clarkson - MMFool of the Week. His story unfolds thusly:

The outspoken star printed his bank details in a newspaper to try and make the point that his money would be safe and that the spectre of identity theft was 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 the stunt backfired and his details were used to set up a £500 direct debit payable from his account to the British Diabetic Association.

[...]

"The bank cannot find out who did this because of the Data Protection Act and they cannot stop it from happening again," he said. "I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake."

How ironic - the laws designed to protect him instead, leave him exposed.

Of course, there is a way to prevent it from happening again. It is called close the f'ing account. I should know - I went through the same thing myself when someone started writing fake checks on an account of mine. A real pain in the arse, it is.

Now that he has 'seen the light', as it were, has he changed his tune? Decide for yourself:

"...we must go after the idiots who lost the discs and stick cocktail sticks in their eyes until they beg for mercy."

Personally, I would have settled for "enact a law requiring that sensitive data be encrypted."