IDENTITY THEFT

When Bennett had his identity stolen, the consequences were devastating. He spent two years trying to clear his name, during which time he became homeless and had to live with family and friends.

Bennett now performs a one-man show based on this event in his life. He perfomed the show, It Wasn't Me, It Was Bennett Arron at the Edinburgh Festival for what was meant to be a short ten day run. However, due to the overwhelming response and excellent reviews (Kafka-esque... Hilarious' The Standard; 'Fascinating... comedic invention and excellence Chortle) the run was extended.

As a result of the show, Bennett was asked to direct and present a documentary on Identity Fraud. In the programme, Bennett proved, through a series of stunts, how easy the crime of ID Theft is to carry out.

Bennett had planned on taking his findings to the Home Office in the hope that changes would be made to the system. However when his meeting was cancelled and not rescheduled, he had to take desperate measures to prove his point. He therefore set out, and succeeded, in stealing the identity of the then Home Secretary, Charles Clarke.

bennett                            bennett

He was subsequently arrested...


Bennett's documentary How To Steal an Identity was shortlisted for the a BAFTA.
You can watch it online by clicking here



CORPORATE EVENTS

Bennett has performed his show at corporate events all around the country and was invited to be the Guest Speaker at the International Fraud Conventions in Rome and Turin and the International Congress On Anti-Fraud & Anti-Corruption in Poland.

Bennett has been called…
'A Welsh Seinfeld' by The Guardian
'Genuinely Original and Funny' by The Times and
‘Case Number 2477419’ by The Metropolitan Police.

To book for a corporate event please email gordon@gordonpoole.com.



Testimonials:

You brought a welcome realism to the consequences and frustrations of falling victim to identity fraud while at the same time avoiding making this a tale of woe. By combining humour and storytelling flair you achieved the seemingly impossible; making financial fraud entertaining!
Owen Roberts, Head of Callcredit Check, Callcredit Limited


I’d like to thank you on behalf of the Enterprise Privacy Group and everyone at last week’s Members’ Forum for your hilarious, insightful and touching story of your identity theft experiences. Your audience of privacy and identity professionals, which included some of the country’s leading authorities on the topic, were shocked at the story, since it is rarely they get to hear first-hand accounts of identity theft, but all of them commented on how amusing and well-delivered the story was.
Toby Stevens, Director, Enterprise Privacy Group Ltd


Your terrible experience as a victim of identity theft combined with your talent as a comedian enabled you to put a serious message to an audience in a very engaging, entertaining and informing way.
Jim Hodgkins, Managing Director, CreditExpert, Experian


I would like to express our thanks and appreciation for accepting our invitation and delivering a presentation during the VII International Congress on Internal Control, Audit, Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Issues. Your excellent presentation won recognition among both participants and other speakers. I do hope we will have the honour to also have you as a guest and speaker next year, at the VIII International Congress in Krakow, Poland.
Edmund J Saunders CFE, FCIB, C.Dip,A.F., President of ACFE Poland Chapter and President of PIKW (Polish Institute of Internal Control and Audit)


 

The Facts about Identity Fraud

Whilst doing research for his documentary, Bennett discovered how huge a crime ID Theft had become.  It is now the largest growing crime in the UK and affects one in ten of us.

  1. Don't throw out anything with your name or address on it without shredding it first
  2. Don't give out your details over the phone or in an email unless you are 100% sure that the person is genuine
  3. If you move home, make sure all your post is re-directed and get in touch with your new local authority to register on the electoral role as soon as possible
  4. Check your Credit Report regularly

In a further attempt to help people combat this crime, Bennett has made an agreement with Credit Expert - part of Experian, one of the largest Credit Reference Agencies - to give anyone who clicks the link a Free Credit Report. They will also be able to sign up for Credit Monitoring and Identity Fraud Protection whereby they will be contacted by telephone, email or text if ever someone tries to fraudulently access their accounts.