Banned from having a Natwest/rbs etc account

Mortgage2015

eskbanker wrote: »

It could be indefinitely - there have certainly been posts on here about people being unable to get a switching bonus because they'd had an account with the relevant bank (First Direct if memory serves) more than ten years previously, and banks usually have long memories about the likes of defaults (not directly relevant here though), so I wouldn't rely on this automatically dropping off their internal records as a matter of course after x years....

That is a pity. Even the chippy that banned me in my youth let me back in.

Mother had a cashback card at the time and recommended them, my current card is subprime barclaycard so I thought ok. I opened up another to have my benefits (on at the time) paid into because I didn't want them going through my main account. Could have had them paid into the same account, was a bit silly opening 3 in hindsight.

I just didn't realise Natwest/Rbs (the rates are pretty much the same from what I can see) would have any use to me so I wasn't too bothered receiving the letter but now obviously I'm seeing their mortgage rates are competitive. Again oh well.

stclair

Archi_Bald wrote: »

You might be able to find out what they don't like about you by doing a SAR https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/principle-6-rights/subject-access-request/

The address they can write to is:

The Data Protection Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Retail Regulatory Risk, 2nd Floor, Business House B, PO Box 1000, Edinburgh EH12 1HQ.

boo_star

stclair wrote: »

The address they can write to is:

The Data Protection Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Retail Regulatory Risk, 2nd Floor, Business House B, PO Box 1000, Edinburgh EH12 1HQ.

It may not help

From https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/principle-6-rights/subject-access-request/

An individual can also request information about the reasoning behind any automated decisions, such as a computer-generated decision to grant or deny credit, or an assessment of performance at work (except where this information is a trade secret).

We can argue all day if it really is a trade secret but that may well be what they see it as. You would need to complain to the ICO if you think they're taking the proverbial.

System

Move on with your life...

RBS simply don't want you as a customer - if Mum asks why you can't have the account, tell her that they've declined your application.

A SAR will be of limited use as bank staff know that anything they write can be made public. Your records will likely have some brief comment about being your accounts being closed by a certain department.

GingerBob_3

Mortgage2015 wrote: »

That is a pity. Even the chippy that banned me in my youth let me back in.

Mother had a cashback card at the time and recommended them, my current card is subprime barclaycard so I thought ok. I opened up another to have my benefits (on at the time) paid into because I didn't want them going through my main account. Could have had them paid into the same account, was a bit silly opening 3 in hindsight.

I just didn't realise Natwest/Rbs (the rates are pretty much the same from what I can see) would have any use to me so I wasn't too bothered receiving the letter but now obviously I'm seeing their mortgage rates are competitive. Again oh well.

So-called "lifetime bans" in any walk of life are an abomination. They are normally imposed by buffoons of the highest order. People change over the years, as your chippy realised. The SAR option is perhaps worth trying. It's also worth noting that financial organisations are not allowed to keep personal data longer than necessary. I know this gives them great leeway, and the ICO are a toothless bunch, but if you come up against a brick wall with the bank you might consider reporting their stance the the regulators.

Archi_Bald

Going to a Regulator because you can't get a current account with one bank would be a totally fruitless exercise as the financial industry Regulators - PRA and FCA - don't deal with Joe Public. If you have a gripe as a consumer that you are unable to resolve with your bank yourself, you should go to the FOS.

GingerBob_3

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Going to a Regulator because you can't get a current account with one bank would be a totally fruitless exercise as the financial industry Regulators - PRA and FCA - don't deal with Joe Public. If you have a gripe as a consumer that you are unable to resolve with your bank yourself, you should go to the FOS.

That's who I meant, but the issue is one of keeping data for longer than is needed, rather than them not providing you with an account. They are, of course, entitled to (not) do this.

Archi_Bald

They are entitled to keep your personal data for as long as they deem it necessary. If they deem that they do not ever want you as a customer again, it is their right to keep that information forever. Just in the same way that you can decide not to ever have an account with them ever again.

I think it's time for a reality check. It's not as if there's only one place where you can get a current account.

stclair

boo_star wrote: »

It may not help

From https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/principle-6-rights/subject-access-request/



We can argue all day if it really is a trade secret but that may well be what they see it as. You would need to complain to the ICO if you think they're taking the proverbial.

I was merely providing the address so send the SAR to as the previous poster suggested.

GingerBob_3

Archi_Bald wrote: »

They are entitled to keep your personal data for as long as they deem it necessary. If they deem that they do not ever want you as a customer again, it is their right to keep that information forever. Just in the same way that you can decide not to ever have an account with them ever again.

I think it's time for a reality check. It's not as if there's only one place where you can get a current account.

Not necessarily. It may well be in breach of DP guidelines to keep such data indefinitely. By issuing a lifetime ban they are, in effect, saying they're going to keep data on that basis. These organisations need challenging on such matters.