American Express will not find my details

mpalmer123

I have sent a information request for any credit cards details to American Express Services Europe Ltd regarding PPIs.
They have replied with
Each card is provided with a 15 digit no which is used to retrieve personal data. Although Card member data can be traced without this number, if the card was cancelled more than 2yrs ago it may have been archived. Please note if the card was cancelled more than 6 years ago we longer hold the required account details.


I was able to get the above information from Barclays going back to 1990 so effectively American Express say they have lost everyone's details pre-2008, is this correct or they cannot be bothered?

[Deleted User]

mpalmer123 wrote: »

I was able to get the above information from Barclays going back to 1990 so effectively American Express say they have lost everyone's details pre-2008, is this correct or they cannot be bothered?

It's nothing to do with not being "bothered" or that they've "lost" anything. In line with data protection, financial institutions are required to destroy all personal information that should realistically never be required again. The guideline period for this is six years, just as they informed you.

In the case of Barclays, I assume you are still a customer? If this is the case, then that explains why your data has been kept for far longer. Either that or they couldn't be "bothered" to destroy it!:p

dunstonh

I was able to get the above information from Barclays going back to 1990 so effectively American Express say they have lost everyone's details pre-2008, is this correct or they cannot be bothered?

Where have they said they have lost data? I don't see that mentioned in their reply.

Do you still bank with Barclays in any capacity?

mpalmer123

I was with Barclays from 1984 to 1999 and all I am doing is trying to find out if I have ever had an American Express card.


I blindly thought if I just supplied my new address and old one they could simply search for them and say whether a card account was ever held.


In the 1990's I was chasing the % interest to reduce my card debts. I will not proceed with this and assume unless I have card details it is not really worth looking at other possible cards(e.g egg, virgin, mbna, Barclaycard etc...).

Nasqueron

You could try the SAR route to dig out all the info they have on you but this may well be a waste of £10 if the card was closed more than 6 years ago as it seems Amex are actually being diligent and following DPA rules and destroying old data

dunstonh

I blindly thought if I just supplied my new address and old one they could simply search for them and say whether a card account was ever held.

If the account was closed, then over time the records will be archived and the filing system may be limited to account number as the search option. They are not allowed to hold all your data indefinitely.