Bank fc*k up :( what can I do?

sammiebmouse

Apologies if this is in the wrong place-please move but my partner did a telephone transfer to my account this morning and then asked for a list of his transactions-the lady on the phone went on to tell him MY transactions including my balance.

We do not have a joint account, this is my money only-and I have been trying to save money while OH is out of work, I did not tell him I had some aside for an emergency (again this is my funds), but it has caused huge arguements(which is neither here nor there) but surely they have wrongly given my details-is there anything I can do? I am going to the bank this morning to complain but wondered if i have any rights?

RAS

Hi

It is against the Data Protection Act for them to provide information of your account to another person without your express consent. You need to make a formal complaint and expect some compensation. If they do not do this, report them to the Information Commisioner.

I would suggest that you open an alternative account with another bank and close this one

doodledo_2

God thats awful and definately against the DPA.

Get complaining!

sammiebmouse

Update:
Well I sent a complaint letter and have this morning had a call to apologise and offer me £100 compensation.

I told the advisor I would need to think about it and that I would prefer to speak to someone to get advise-as I feel very let down with the lapse in security on my account.

Do you think I should accept the £100? I dont know who I can speak with regarding this in terms of legal advise (free)-can anyone help or point me in the right direction?

I need to let them know by close of business today, from then it will be passed to another department.

Thanks!

mbaz

Hiya

I don't know who you can get advise from - CAB? But this is a MAJOR DPA breach that has caused you a great deal of upset so I'm not convinced £100 is enough. I suppose if you get a response from them in writing you could always go to the ombudsman with it but I don't know for sure.

Sorry they've caused you all these problems.

RAS

Hi

Have you spoken to the Information Commisioner?


The Information Commissioners Office, Complaints page: http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx
(note: you can also complete and download the .pdf form on Data Protection, which I am also sending to the other offices, with an accompanying letter)

Cleosmum

If you complained in writing then its reasonable to expect them to reply in writing, you could ask them to set the offer out in writing, and that would then give you more time to decide, and seek some advice. I would say £100 isnt enough. How are things now with your other half? Have things settled, or are things still strained?

MissShoes

That's awful. Personally I don't think What happens if someone else transfers money to your account? Could they become privy to your transactions? How will they ensure if won't happen again. Just my opinion- I would call them and say you were unhappy with the compensation offer and see what they say.

sammiebmouse

Ras, thanks for the link-I called the Information Commissioners but they advised they cannot help when it comes to compensation and cannot advise if they think the amount offered is satisfactory-that it will be between the bank and I.
She advised they would complain on my behalf if needed but would only write to them to inform them of the breach and outline steps they need to take in future to ensure it doesnt happen again, they would not seek compensation.

The advisor this morning advised that they cannot trace the call to check it, but that they would ensure the staff had more training in security?

I worked for this bank before as a savings advisor, and am appalled that this lady didnt go through any measure of security, and as Miss Shoes said, who's to say it wont happen again, and maybe with a third party?!

To be honest, Im trying to see what everyone thinks as I'm not assertive enough normally to even make these type of complaints, and if I have the information on my rights and sound like I know what I'm talking about, they might take me a bit more seriously.

£100 is a bit of a paltry sum when they have made such a huge breach, and also to keep my account with them?

GeorgeUK

I think as you did not suffer any financial loss as a result of this, you may not be able to claim for compensation under the DPA.

It might be worth checking on the CAG forum to see what the legal expert say, but i don't think you'll get much more out of them. Hope i'm wrong though.

mitty_2

I know it's not very nice and they shouldn't have done it...but it sounds like the person on the phone got the details mixed up and made an honest mistake. I'd just take the money and move on, lifes too short to get bogged down with the small stuff in my view, the person who made the mistake is probably on a rubbish wage and got a family to support themselves.