Advice needed....

samjackjord

Hi, I have just found out my bank has changed my address without my consent to an address i have never lived at! In this time correspondence will have been sent there along with statements. I have phoned the bank and requested info regarding how and why address was changed and I am now waiting.
I am fuming as this is a massive breach of data protection. Does anyone know what I can do as the bank seemed quite blaze and not concerned at all.
Any help or advice would be very gratefully received.

gingerkitten

Hi
I think I would try posting your question on a different board, I would try the reclaiming bank/credit card charges and start a new thread, you may get a better response.

I had this problem with a business account although it was just one or two random statements they sent out. I only found out because the man who received the statements brought them to my office!. The Bank absolutely denied that any statements had been sent to a different address although 5 years later and there has never been a repeat.

I assume you have checked that there has been no fraudulent activity on your account?

angelavdavis

Put your complaint in writing asking for an investigation and request copies of any documents supposedly signed by yourself changing your address. Send Recorded Delivery and keep a copy. Check your account transactions also.

Look at the Information Commissioner Officers web site www.ico.gov.uk for more help.

MothballsWallet

As angelavdavis said - copy your complaint to the ICO as well.

I do this when I have problems with my personal data being held by companies and I want them to change/remove it: seeing a "CC: Information Commissioner's Office" or "CC: ICO" usually encourages them to be more proactive in resolving things.

Katie-Kat-Kins

Sounds like this could be an attempt at identity fraud. Someone may have requested the change in order to obtain replacement cards and chequebooks. I think you need to get in touch with your bank urgently and ask them to take action. You need to know what has been sent to the other address and possibly cancel the cards etc.

samjackjord

Hi apparently only bank statements have been sent to the address as I get yearly statement so hence why I did not notice. The bank seem really blaze, I have spoke to someone to do with the fsa today and she said that it is very wrong and that I could claim compensation ... like that will make it all okay. The bank do not seem bothered that someone has seen all my transactions for a full year and because noone has tried to steal my identity as it seems to be an error in branch then what the hell am I moaning about (not in so many words but you get the gist of the attitude the bank has) I could scream as I am so annoyed, it is not so much the security issue more the banks attitude. I feel like saying yes actually I do want compensation... but that would acheive nothing.

PrincessPeach_2

The bank seems to be in a clear breach, dont let their attitude put you off.
It maybe worth speaking to them again as it could just be the person you spoke to.
Banks are meant to be trying to improve their standards on peoples data. I think the FSA had done something on this last year - so you could mention that. Also i think firms have been fined for doing stuff like that - maybe worth looking at the FSA's website for past fines on firms and use that against the bank - also look at their money made clear site, it will explain how to make a compliant to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

You could also call back the FSA and see if you could talk to someone in their financial crime department - they maybe able to offer some advice.

angelavdavis

I was thinking more about your situation, and I am sure Watchdog had a feature running on how Banks were so careless with our personal information. It might be worth sending them a note about this too.

Scaredy_Cat_3

I'd definitely be demanding compensation for all the distress and inconvenience.

Also, have you alerted the Data Protection Registrar? The bank should definitely be worried. Under Data Protection regulations, the individual person who released your information could be prosecuted, not just the bank. It's possible they think they can just fob you off and you won't know how to take it further.

samjackjord

Hi, thankyou so much for all the advice. Scaredy cat I wouldnt have a clue where to go or how to take it further. All I know is that I am really pi##ed off, not just with the bank but also the individual who was so bloody stupid. I have found that when a big company like a bank do wrong there is limited information on what your rights are. Even speaking to the fsa they seemed not overly concerned as no fraud had taken place on my account and my identity not stolen. I just want to scream 'its not the point if it happened, it could have and thats my point in all this' Wheres that brick wall gone.........

Scaredy_Cat_3

This might be worth trying http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx