How difficult is it to steal from your bank account?

What happens when an identity thief has your bank account number? A British TV reporter wanted to find out. He was convinced that he could not be robbed by someone who has his bank account number and routing number. So he published them in the local newspaper.

He promptly discovered he was wrong. A reader set up an automatic draft from his bank account. According to BBC News,

The Top Gear host revealed his account numbers after rubbishing the furore over the loss of 25 million people's personal details on two computer discs.

He wanted to prove the story was a fuss about nothing.

But (Jeremy) Clarkson admitted he was "wrong" after he discovered a reader had used the details to create a £500 direct debit to the charity Diabetes UK.