Bank mistakenly sending my statements to incorrect address

ea2009

About 10 months ago, I changed address. I went into my bank and completed my change of address form, handed it in to the bank and expected them to correct my details.

In the meantime, I opted out for paper statements on my internet banking, as I can view my transactions on the internet, instead of receiving my bank statements.

Last week, my bank cancelled my bank card, so it forced me to into the bank and find out what the problem is. I have now found out that my bank have been sending my bank statements to someone's address for the last 10 months. Obviously, I was not expecting any bank statements, as I did not wish to receive anything. So, this person that has been receiving my bank statements, got fed up and returned my statements to the bank and informed them to correct the details.

It seems, that the bank clerk entered an incorrect letter in my post code and was too lazy to check if the address corresponded to my original request. I am highly upset about this matter, as I believe this has effected my credit score (as I have been trying to apply for a Credit Card), as my address details did not correspond to what they have on the system. Also, someone has been receiving all my bank details and transactions, which could have easily been used for fraudulent use.

My question is, what could I possibly gain from my bank if I complain about this situation and take it further. Will I be wasting my time writing a letter to them, or do you think its worth my while to make a big issue about this?

Thanks for your time...

PlutoinCapricorn

It is worth taking it up. I had a similar problem where First Direct suddenly corrupted my address on their database and the papers were going to a neighbour's flat. As she passed them on to me and I did not look at my address, I did not realise what had happened until she went on holiday and I was charged for late payment of a credit card balance - late because I had not seen the statement. This was in 2003: I phoned and someone said that she would sort it out but nothing happened.

Last year, I decided to try again: it was unfinished business. Luckily I still had the paperwork so I photocopied the evidence and stated the facts in a covering letter. I got everything refunded with a bit extra.

I advise writing to the bank, with copies of the evidence. Have you got anything addressed to you at the old and new addresses, and evidence of your request for change? Your credit record is another matter.

McKneff

But the op hasnt lost any money

As far as credit rating goes. I think that it is all done names and DOBs
and is not anything to do with addresses.

I cannot understand why the post has been sent to the wrong address.
The first 4 or 5 lines on the address are correct. Just one letter in the postcode was incorrect. There would be a lot of houses within that 'wrong' postcode so it could have gone to many many addresses.

dunstonh

I am highly upset about this matter, as I believe this has effected my credit score (as I have been trying to apply for a Credit Card), as my address details did not correspond to what they have on the system.

It wouldnt have any impact. Your CC application would have the correct address on it and it would be credit scored on that basis.

The statement address is a different issue. Also, you say you opted out of paper statements. So, no-one has been getting the statements in that case.

Also, incorrect post codes do not necessarily mean mail goes to the wrong address. The postman still looks at the house number and road name when making his delivery. He doesnt go by the post code. It would just potentially delay it for a day or two as a sorting error.

My question is, what could I possibly gain from my bank if I complain about this situation and take it further.

£10 to £25 just to get rid of the complaint quickly. It doesnt justify anything really but the banks seem prepared to pay small amounts for almost any minor error.

ea2009

Thanks for your comments... Can I just confirm... the bank did make a mistake on my post code. Instead of 5BH, they typed 5BN... Which is an address in the neighbourhood, therefore it did go to a legitimate address, but not my address.

PlutoinCapricorn

I did rather dive in when I first saw this post. I too am confused:

If you opted out of paper statements, why do you think that they have been sent out?

I strongly agree that an error in the final characters of the Postcode should not result in a wrong delivery: I have had many letters with dodgy Postcodes that all arrived safely. I know from experience that sometimes these mistakes are caused by typing errors and mis-reading what someone has written or scribbles. H and N are commonly confused. I just don't see how, even if paper statements were sent out, a tiny Postcode error would make any difference: in my case the bank put the wrong flat number!

It is common for the same address to be held in different ways on various databases too: some have e.g. Flat 18 xxxx House, others have 18 xxxx house. This does not affect credit scores so far as I know.

dunstonh

Which is an address in the neighbourhood, therefore it did go to a legitimate address, but not my address.

Do you have evidence of this or are you just assuming? As said above, postcode helps the sorting at the office but the postman wont put it through the door of a house with a different number and/or road name (unless its human error on the postmans side, which does happen)

McKneff

If you opted out of paper statements then no statements would have been sent out so no one else would have got your statements.

I think I am the second or third to state this.


The first part of the post code is just a general area ie Ts is Teesside.
HG is Harrogate.

Given the above i dont understand why you are 'highly upset' no one got your statements through their letterbox.

Move on for goodness sake.

ea2009

I have evidence that the post code was entered correctly, they showed me on their monitor.
As for the opted out statements, that just shows you how the wonderful internet banking system did not action my request. So, 2 mistakes, the bank has made.