Account details-what can be done with them

[Cuppachaplz]

Can someone explain to to me me what a person can actually do if they have your account details?
If they don't have anything else, what can they actually take?
I'm sure I'm being stupid, but I have to jump through all sorts of hoops even to pay into my account.

They can’t do anything just pay money in

They can set up direct debits in your name but this is fraud and possibly would be picked up by security checks, eg if they tried to pay the electricity bill for their house from a bank account registered at a different address.

Years ago lots of people set up charity donations from Jeremy Clarksons account when he published his bank details in his newspaper column, to prove it's not a security risk.

But cheques have bank details on, along with a copy of your signature when completed and no-one ever refused to use those for that reason.

account name, sort code and number are only of use for paying in.

To do other stuff, fraudsters need personal details; date of birth, address, phone number. If you are Jeremy Clarkson those details are probably public domain or easily accessible.

don't publicise your birthday on social media, don't use obvious passwords.