The disturbingly true yet funny account of what it is like to have your identity stolen
UK
After being a victim of identity theft, the comedian has made comedy shows and documentaries about his experience
Request fees and availability5 out of 5 stars
“Bennett relays his personal experience of identity theft in an entertaining and funny way which has really engaged our staff across the organisation. The feedback we have received about Bennett’s presentation has been exceptional and people really understand the consequences of what can happen if things go wrong.”
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About Bennett
Keynote
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In conjunction with Celebrity PR Limited, London we present a comedian and Identity Theft Speaker.
A long time ago, stand-up comedian and award-winning writer Bennett Arron was in serious debt. He owed thousands of pounds to mobile phone companies, catalogues and department stores. Only it wasn’t him. Bennett had been a victim of Identity Theft, the fastest growing crime in the UK. This theft was so devastating that it resulted in Bennett and his pregnant wife becoming penniless and homeless.
Years later, Bennett wrote about the ordeal and this resulted in a comedy show about his experience. The show was critically acclaimed at the Edinburgh Festival and led to Bennett being asked to direct and present a Documentary for Channel 4. The Documentary, How To Steal An Identity, was Pick of The Week in The Guardian and The Telegraph and was called ‘Fascinating and Disturbing’ by the TV Times. It went on to be shortlisted for a BAFTA.
In the Documentary, Bennett proved the ease of ID theft, by first stealing the identities of the general public and then stealing the identity of the then Home Secretary, Charles Clarke. This action resulted in Bennett being arrested in a dawn raid by Scotland Yard and given the code-name Operation Hydrogen.
Bennett now tours around the world, telling his disturbingly true yet funny account of what it’s like to have your identity stolen and but revealing the devastating consequences of making a documentary ‘in the public interest’.
See keynotes with Bennett ArronBennett speaks on various of topics such as:
The key points in his talk are:
How do we allow ourselves to become victims of Identity Theft?
Is Identity Theft really a victimless crime?
How did one man make a change to the Driving Licence Application Form?
How making a documentary in the ‘Public Interest’ can have devastating effects
Very Professional. Would recommend!
Agnes Psathas
“Having Bennett join us at National Lottery HQ during Cyber Security Awareness month was fantastic. He really engaged the audience and made them stop and think about the importance information security and the real impact on people when it goes wrong.”
David Boda, Head of Information Security, Camelot
“Your presentation was so funny…everybody loved you”
McAfee
Bennett is a gifted comedian who appreciates just what it takes to host a trade awards show and have the audience loving every single minute. Outstanding!
Mark Emmott
Perfect subject matter for our conference. Funny, engaging, educational and terrifying!
The best presentation that I have seen at any conference
Bob Seaman
The feedback we have received about Bennett’s presentation has been exceptional and people really understand the consequences of what can happen if things go wrong.
Gareth Conway
How has identity theft changed your life?
At the time it changed my life completely, and to an extent it still has repercussions (but you’ll have to hear me speak to know all the facts!) The police refer to Identity Theft as a ‘victimless crime’. They’re wrong. Just because nothing tangible has been taken – ie a laptop/DVD player etc – doesn’t mean there’s no victim. A laptop can be replaced, having a zero credit rating and not being able to open bank accounts, get a mortgage etc is a more difficult problem to resolve. It took me almost 2 years!
What types of clients typically book you?
I’m either booked as a comedian/awards host etc or as a keynote or after dinner speaker on the subject of Identity Theft. I have performed for Gartner (where I am still to this day the highest-rated speaker they’ve ever had), McAfee, Santander, Experian, Thatchers… I have also performed at 12 separate events for Royal Mail and I was the opening keynote speaker at Auscert in Australia in front of 2000 delegates.
Why is it important that people learn more about fraud & identity theft and how it works?
If people learn more about it then they will not only know how to avoid it more but also how to deal with it should it ever happen to them.
Can you give some advice to those who have experienced identity theft?
Have regular Credit Reports or ideally sign with one of the Credit Reference Agencies which let you know if anything untoward is happening on your accounts.
How do you work with clients to prepare your keynotes?
I’m usually booked by clients who have seen me or by recommendations and they know that I have a talk which can be between 30 and 40 minutes and which can include a Powerpoint Presentation and video clips for the (BAFTA shortlisted) documentary I made. They know that the talk will be funny as well as interesting/entertaining/emotional so they just leave me to it.
Send a simple request. You’ll get a quick reply with fees and availability
