I also would like to know the answer to Val's question. The amount of information given out on a cheque is greater than that for a direct debit. So if a d/d can be made up from that information, how are people supposed to make payments? Also is this Police advice or from eBid or the Banks? If it is from the Banks I would view it with great suspicion, as they are only interested in shifting the blame from their dodgy/non-existant security systems.