Data Protection Act

vivaladiva

My OH is currently in hospital leaving me to deal with all the financial stuff.
We have a credit agreement in his name, which I need information about. The finance company won't discuss it with me due to the Data Protection Act (I bet they would if they didn't get paid). Is there any way round this? OH is on morphine and has two broken arms:eek: - I suppose I could put him on the phone - but the CS representative seemed to think the situation was funny enough:rolleyes:.

Shineyhappy

I am sorry to hear about your OH, I hope he makes a full recovery asap!

Sorry I cant be of any help, but I just wanted to wish you both the best.

locutus2003

Hi

This is my first ever post so please bear with me!

However, you should find that if you get your OH to sign a letter along the lines of 'I give x permission to deal with this on my behalf' etc, then they should let you deal with it instead of him.

Hope this helps

oscar52

signing a letter may be a problem with two broken arms.

However, you have told them the situation verbally, I owuld confirm it in writing to the company (recorded deliv), stating that in the circumstances, all charges relating to non payment need to be waived, and that once he is out of hospital, he will contact them.

vivaladiva

oscar52 wrote: »

signing a letter may be a problem with two broken arms.

However, you have told them the situation verbally, I owuld confirm it in writing to the company (recorded deliv), stating that in the circumstances, all charges relating to non payment need to be waived, and that once he is out of hospital, he will contact them.

This might be worth doing - alongside my letter of complaint about their representative's attitude. All she would repeat was "Data Protection Act we can't discuss it with you." No suggestion about how to resolve the situation at all. Customer Service my @rse Clydesdale Financial Services:mad:. She couldn't be less helpful if she tried.

fletch3163

Hi, slightly dishonest this one but do you know a man who could "fake" being your husband. The only reason they're not doing it with you is that you have a female's voice. If you had someone who knew the answers to the security questions, etc. I once got away with pretending to be my husband (ah, the embarrassment). Give it a try.

locutus2003

Apologies for the unhelpful answer earlier on - I mis-read it as your OH having 2 broken legs, not arms.

My only excuse is being 9 months pregnant and therefore unable to think straight!

I hope he feels better soon and that one of the more helpful suggestions will work for you.

calleyw

A signed letter might not be enough, sorry to say as my husband had a stroke last year and his bank where a pain in the backside to say the least.

A signed letter was not enough I had to have either power of attorney or be added to the account. I ended up being added to the account.

I know it is tough my husband was in hospital for nearly 4 months. And it turns your life upside down.


All the best and hope your husband is home soon.


Yours


Calley

Shona_3

If they are being really sticky, you might need a letter from DR or nurse looking after him to say he is temp incapacitated, can't write etc. Get a fax no from the bank and ask the ward sister for a letter saying he is currently an inpatient on ward so and so... Should let them put the brakes on for you.

locutus2003

Hi again

Just had a thought - why not ring the Office of the Information Commissioner (they're responsible for regulating the DPA) - they have a helpline - 01625 545745. I think it is more aimed at businesses making sure they don't fall foul of DPA but you could always ask them for their advice on what to do in your situation. I rang them myself - but it was a long time ago - when DPA was my thing and they were very helpful. I couldn't find anything helpful on their website but speaking to a human might just do the trick.

Hope that helps

soappie

An off the wall suggestion - how about making an appointment to see one of their financial advisers and arranging it for ward xxx of hospital yyyy at such and such a time?