Do I have to pay for statements?

cyman1964uk

I used to keep records of all my transactions and obtain paper statements monthly from my bank. Then, I would check off each transaction and effectively 'balance the bank' on my current account.

One day, I made the fateful decision to opt for "paperless statements". I assumed by this that I would receive an email every so often (monthly, say) to let me know that some kind of file (statement) had arrived and this file would contain all the info previously contained in my paper statement.

It turned out not to be the case at all and, because the email address I was 'signed up' under at the bank was one that had long expired, I didn't receive anything to remind me to balance my bank details.

My question concenrs my rights to this data. I have now gone back to paper statements, but I have missed about 10 month's worth of data which I would otherwise have received and used. Of course, my local branch are coimpletely unhelpful, stating that they don't have access to such old data. Moreover, they told me that I'd need to go to head office and it would cost me approx £15 per month of missing statements to give me this info now.

Is this right? Doesn't this data effectively belong to me? Don't I have a right to this data for free, so I can check no fraudulent transactions have taken place in my account?

If it isn't fair practise, what do folks advise that I do in order to get me information, please?

Regards,
Simon.

roonaldo

1, it would be your responsibilty when signing up for paperless statements that you give the bank your correct email details and ensure your details are up to date with the bank.
2, they are within their rights to charge you for duplicate statements.

cyman1964uk

The thing is, they're not exactly duplicate statements, are they? I have not seen this data once yet.

Premier_2

The three wise monkeys routine will not wash I'm afraid.

Online means you should be accessing your account online.
I'm sure the statements were made available (usually for at least a year, maybe longer).
They may have also sent you an email (depends on the terms)

It's not their fault you didn't keep them advised of an active email account and/or regularly check your account online.

What you would be requesting is a copy or duplicate of a statement already produced, and that usually incurs a fee (see the terms)

zppp

cyman1964uk wrote: »

The thing is, they're not exactly duplicate statements, are they? I have not seen this data once yet.

There is no point in trying to split hairs here. After all you admit that your statements are available online, so they have been made available to you.

Which bank are you trying to get statements from?

podperson

As mentioned above they have been sending you statements - not really their fault if you hadn't updated your details with them to the correct email address. I would maybe suggest sending off a subject access request for £10 rather then requesting individual statements - it should then have all your information in it, just it might not be set out in 'statement' form.

the_insider

Can you not sign in to your online banking now that you have 'remembered' about it?

roonaldo

The thing to learn here, if you want paper bank statements dont sign up for internet banking.