Day in the Life of Bob - Calling Sandander to Report an Opened Letter

bobwilson

I received a letter from Santander today that had been ripped open. The letter was confirming my new accounts have been opened, showed the sort code and account numbers, and reference numbers of my accounts, as well the reference numbers and names of direct debits and standing orders, including my paypal account and mobile phone.

I called up my Santander branch to report this, and the little girl told me there was nothing they could do. She said I should just keep an eye on my account and let them know if anything happens .

I called up the Santander fraud dept to report it, and the lady told me the same thing, "No one can do anything with your account number and sort code, but they could set up a direct debit and take money out of your account. I'm afraid there is nothing we can do. We can't pre-empt anything that might happen on your account. I advise you to keep an eye on your account and let us know if anything goes wrong. We don't have the facility to keep an eye on it for you here."

I asked: "But what about my paypal dd reference and all the other information? Is that sensitive information?"
She replied: "I suggest you call up Paypal and your mobile phone company to see what they suggest with regards to their reference numbers."

I'm surprised that Santander have sent out a letter with their logo on the envelope containing so much information about my accounts, direct debits, my paypal reference, and my mobile phone reference. HSBC often disguise their letters, and don't include so much information in any one letter.

I don't know if anyone can do anything with this information alone, but fraudsters will often put pieces of info together gradually. Is it not prudent to change the account numbers when this happens?

Is this normal behaviour for a bank?

fluffnutter

Can anything Santander does be deemed 'normal'? I don't know tbh. My correspondence from my bank only ever has my name, address and sort code/account number (plus my transactions if it's my statement, of course). I personally think it's a lot of information to send in one chunk - why include your paypal account number and mobile number, surely you know those?? However, at the end of the day, if someone wants to commit identity theft and fraud they'll probably find a way.

dealer_wins

Hows your mouth, better I hope?

GemJar_2

TBH i'd ring santander and either say that if they don't change your acct no and sort code you'll leave OR say that your cards been stolen and you'd like your acct no and sort code changed. I did that once and they did it without arguing, probably the only thing they've ever done without arguing.