A problem if you die?

tradetime

sloughflint wrote: »

This is an interesting thread especially post 3. So how would people research accounts for the less organised?
There must be a system surely?

That's where the solicitor gets to gouge you. :eek:

sloughflint

tradetime wrote: »

That's where the solicitor gets to gouge you. :eek:

So what's their trick?

tradetime

sloughflint wrote: »

So what's their trick?

Sorry, don't know that, though I could try to find out, or there's a nice young woman who hangs out on the House price boards called something like Neverdespairgirl, I believe she's a barrister or something like that, so she might know if you asked there.

evenasus

SavingSteve wrote: »

Question on security.

Surely having a list with all your account numbers and sort codes on it is a theives dream come true? That is a LOT of very sensitive information to have in one place?

I keep a spreadsheet of all our savings accounts numbers & amounts, in a fireproof safe that is bolted to a concrete floor in a most awkward place for access.
I don't however, write down passwords on paper.

Login and passwords are kept in Keepass Password Safe Portable on a memory stick, which in turn is kept in the safe. I don't keep any passwords on a computer.

The KeePass password is a long sentence (without spaces) that we both can remember.

soulsaver

SavingSteve wrote: »

Question on security.

Surely having a list with all your account numbers and sort codes on it is a theives dream come true? That is a LOT of very sensitive information to have in one place?

I am not JUST arguing with this.. I keep hearing it.. but I think it may be urban myth: Consider account number & sort code is no use to the crook unless he has your password and secret question for online access.. or unless he can forge your signature. But in the days before t'internet we'd hand cheques over to any !!!!!!...Tom, or Harry; and they had not only your account number & the sort code but a specimine of your signature to copy, too. All three of which are also on your debit cards, and cheque guarantee cards and we hand them over to till staff everywhere.
So what is the problem with people writing that info down as long as you don't leave your security details along with 'em?

Broadback

So, Soulsaver that sounds reasonable,but why the need to shred all your paper work to stop identity steeling? I suspect that computers have made all this easier not harder.

soulsaver

More on definitively 'on' topic (& even with quite a few accounts it's not that onerous...):
I regularly print a statement from each of my online accounts so my executors will have something to reasonably recent to trace.. I keep em all in a lever arch file separated by bank in those plastic envelope thingy's (A4 punch pockets) you can get from Staples fo £2 for 25 for the 80u good quality ones. I have a spread sheet summary hard copy in the same folder and saved on the PC, with all the banks names on & the appeox account balances. I know it sounds sad, but actually I too have better things to do with my time and this allows me to keep it short...and neat & easy.
No it may not be bang up- to-date when I eventually peg it ('from boredom', I hear you cynics at the back...) but the executors will have enough info to track 99.5% of my funds. And the banks will have to show how things have moved on to the executors if the position has materially changed from the record.
Even if you have a lot of accounts, they won't all be current accounts so won't change that often. Now having exposed my nerdy methods I hope it hasn't been in vain and somebody finds it helpful...:rolleyes:

SavingSteve

I read a Jeremy Clarkson article about this once.

He was complaining that all those who were up in arms about the data disks lost by Government departments should shut up, for just the reasons soulsaver said. I recall he then went on to print his account details, in the Telegraph no less, as he was confident no harm could be done.

Seem to recall some prankster setting up direct debits with charities using his details, just to prove a point!

tradetime

SavingSteve wrote: »

Seem to recall some prankster setting up direct debits with charities using his details, just to prove a point!

:rotfl::rotfl:probably the Hamster.

soulsaver

Broadback wrote: »

So, Soulsaver that sounds reasonable,but why the need to shred all your paper work to stop identity steeling? I suspect that computers have made all this easier not harder.

Well my understanding is that stolen identity is used to get credit (cards for example) in your name... and I think is a related but different issue, which I can understand, happens.

But try to convince me that having a copy of my gas bill will get them access to my bank account. Go on..

I am asking the question, devils advocate... I am open to be convinced.

How does knowing your address, sortcode and account number get them into your bank account?

BTW How did you know I'd been shredding my paperwork...?