Sawbridgeworth Youth CREATE’s Santa Claus has his bank account hacked as he hangs up his boots for Christmas

Fraudsters emptied the bank account of a professional Santa Claus who works with Sawbridgeworth’s Youth CREATE group, leaving him penniless on Boxing Day.

Cliff Clarkson, 66, who was formerly on the performing arts charity’s board of directors, woke on December 26 after a busy month spent greeting children in his grotto to find the money gone.

Three transactions made in Australia in the early hours cleared his account, which his bank has since frozen to protect him against further fraud until at least January 7.

Cliff had just returned home to his dog Barney, having been on Santa duty since December 2.

He said he could not believe it when he saw the transactions and knew immediately his account had been hacked.

“I play Santa every year and had been out doing that and had just finished for the season,” he told the Indie. “I went to bed and heard my phone ping, but thought I’d check it in the morning.

“When I got up on Boxing Day and looked at my phone, I had three transactions from my bank account from a company called Coles in Australia.

“The total amount they stole was £78, which doesn’t sound a lot, but it was all I had left at the end of the month. Had they done it a day later, I would have lost a lot more.

“I managed to get the first transaction back as the bank stopped it, but still I’m waiting to hear if I get the rest back.”

Cliff added: “Here I am, out doing my Santa Claus bit and trying to make everybody happy, and all the time in the background there’s somebody hacking my account – it’s not fair.

“The amount doesn’t matter, it’s the fact they’ve hacked it. The bank are investigating. My account is now frozen and that could take up to five days to unlock.

“But it also means new account details and new debit card, so now I have to set up all the direct debits for the utilities as well as the rent, council tax and all the other stuff we have like mobiles, TV licence, car tax and a ton more things.

“I’m now going to spend this week wondering if I’m going to get any money back and what the hell I’m going to do if I don’t.

“Please be extra careful – these fraudsters don’t take time off in the holidays!”

Cliff, who lives in Stanstead Abbotts, took on the role of Santa several years ago and said he loved meeting young and old and learning of children’s Christmas wishes. He even grew his own white beard to create an authentic look.

He visited Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall as Father Christmas for Youth CREATE, Bishop’s Stortford’s Grove Cottage and even appeared in Jackson Square amid the festive build-up.

Youth CREATE director Katie Wood said: “Cliff spent his time making young and old smile as Santa over the festive period. He is the most wonderful man and absolutely did not deserve this at all.

“Cliff lives a frugal life with his beloved Barney and is now worried if he will be able to feed his mate.

“It’s the worst thing that could have happened to the most wonderful man who just loves making others smile.”