Lost passport in post who is responsible?

amandaooo

Ok so here's the deal. My husband was requested for id - ie passport from the bank - he provided it through standard post - they definately received it and have acknowledged they sent it back on a "like by like"policy they have - ie if i had sent it Recorded deliverty they would have sent it back that way. It is lost in post and they will not compensate as it costs 75 pounds to replace passport.

now my gripe is this - if I chose to unicycle to bank towards coming traffic then i can accept if i loose it on the way its my own risk.. so i posted it at my own risk and if lost at my end i would pay. But surely if i handed it in to bank they would have sent it recorded delivery so it shouldnt matter how dangerously i chose to send it to them - if they then have safe receipt of it surely they then have a "duty of care" towards my documents?

Can someone advice how to move forward on this?

I know i can get compensated by post office but only up to 30 pounds and has to be made by bank - no idea what to say to them.

kind regards amanda

markelock

This is difficult. You sent it and didn't feel the need to "insure" it over and above the standard rate (which is more than £30, if you sent it first class), so why should the Bank bother? Surely the duty of care to look after your property is equally your own?

On the flipside, I think they should take care of your property, I wonder if a carefully worded letter might get you somewhere? Also, I think Barclays will need to claim the postage, I don't think you can. Which would also mean they would have to prove posting it, which they might not be able to do.

Therefore they might end up as being liable if they cannot prove where it is.

This is a valuable lesson for you either way. Send things insured to the value you place on them.

Mark

amandaooo

Firstly ,thanks for the speedy and informative response!

I should say it was the Bank of Scotland. Re equally my own duty of care - I agree - which is why i would be happy (not estactic but you know what I mean) to pay if it was lost "at my end". Thanks for the over 30 pounds re first class.

I was thinking about sending them a letter re compensation through po so i will let you all know.

kind regards amanda

Horace

I am at a loss to understand why the passport was sent in the post in the first place - surely it was better to take it into the branch and have them photocopy it?

jd87

I'm with the bank on this one. Your husband should have sent it by recorded delivery in the first place. If he didn't do that, why should the bank?

pulliptears

2 wrongs dont make a right, regardless how the OP sent it, the bank should have a duty of care to return an item of value back to a customer.

I think I would be asking to see some more information on this "Like for Like" policy.

smcaul

Even if you had sent it special delivery there is nothing to say that they would have sent it back via that method!!

Also, you can't claim from RoyalMail, it is down to the bank to do that, they sent it so they have the contract with RM. If you try and raise a claim RM will reject it as you were not the sender.

I would say the bank have failed and need to rectify that, that means they need to pay out for a new passport - you can't be held responsible for their choice of courier.

custardy

Horace wrote: »

I am at a loss to understand why the passport was sent in the post in the first place - surely it was better to take it into the branch and have them photocopy it?

passports are posted all the time for various things
the only service people should use is special delivery given the importance/value

to the OP
you have proof the bank got the passport
untill they prove its back in your hands then its down to them
i would fire of a very strongly worded letter to them

pinkshoes

It's up to the sender to make sure it arrives safely at its destination. You took a gamble not sending it recorded delivery, but it turned out OK, and the bank confirmed they'd received it.

It was then the Bank's responsibility to return it to you in a safe manner, which they failed to do, so you need to take this up with the bank!

How long has it been since they sent it? I've had 1st class things turn up after 5 days, and second class have taken over a week recently!!

mobyfix

amandaooo wrote: »

Ok so here's the deal. My husband was requested for id - ie passport from the bank - he provided it through standard post - they definately received it and have acknowledged they sent it back on a "like by like"policy they have - ie if i had sent it Recorded deliverty they would have sent it back that way. It is lost in post and they will not compensate as it costs 75 pounds to replace passport.

now my gripe is this - if I chose to unicycle to bank towards coming traffic then i can accept if i loose it on the way its my own risk.. so i posted it at my own risk and if lost at my end i would pay. But surely if i handed it in to bank they would have sent it recorded delivery so it shouldnt matter how dangerously i chose to send it to them - if they then have safe receipt of it surely they then have a "duty of care" towards my documents?

Can someone advice how to move forward on this?


I know i can get compensated by post office but only up to 30 pounds and has to be made by bank - no idea what to say to them.

kind regards amanda

Yes... get a friend to unicycle their passport to the bank for the same reason... then watch to see if the bank unicycle it back to them "like for like"

regards :rotfl:

MothballsWallet

I never send my passport (or anything just as important) by regular post: I use Special Delivery (for Russian visa applications) or I take it in person (if possible).