Why can't my bank trace my previous loans?

Mother_of_four

I had a loan with Alliance & Leicester in 1999 - 2004 and I know it had PPi, but they can't trace anything. Complained to the ombudsman but they were in agreement with Bank as it was so long ago. Winners & losers unfortunately, I didn't request a SAR though, wondered if it would have made any difference ?

[Deleted User]

Doubtful...

charlie1104

Hi I'm in the same predicament. I had several loans with Alliance & Leicester (now Santander) in the 90s. Contacted them and their stock answer is that they have no records that are over 6 years old - sorry what financial organisation only retains information for this short period of time! I contacted my bank (TSB) to see if they could assist with the Direct Debit details for these, but at the moment they are unable to trace. I have even tried a credit reference agency to no avail. Extremely frustrating when you know you definitely had this cover. Not sure of what other avenues are opened to the general public. Also, contacted the ombudsman and they basically just reiterate what Santander have told them. So somewhat at a loss!

[Deleted User]

charlie1104 wrote: »

Contacted them and their stock answer is that they have no records that are over 6 years old - sorry what financial organisation only retains information for this short period of time!

Most of them.

No one is keen to break data protection regulations, especially now.

jonesMUFCforever

If only people requesting PPI had kept hold of those pesky bits of papers that lenders used to send you - what were they called again? -- oh yeah statements.

Nasqueron

charlie1104 wrote: »

Hi I'm in the same predicament. I had several loans with Alliance & Leicester (now Santander) in the 90s. Contacted them and their stock answer is that they have no records that are over 6 years old - sorry what financial organisation only retains information for this short period of time! I contacted my bank (TSB) to see if they could assist with the Direct Debit details for these, but at the moment they are unable to trace. I have even tried a credit reference agency to no avail. Extremely frustrating when you know you definitely had this cover. Not sure of what other avenues are opened to the general public. Also, contacted the ombudsman and they basically just reiterate what Santander have told them. So somewhat at a loss!

6 years is the official guideline from the regulator for finance companies, why shouldn't they delete older records, or to flip it around, why should they be retaining personal information about people who have not been a customer of theirs for over 6 years? The firm I work for stores client medical records for 8 years after their last treatment then shreds them. We had SAR from someone relating to treatment in 2009 for whatever reason, we bounced it as I personally oversaw the shredding of those files, hanging onto them forever would be a waste of storage space and there is no reason for us to store people's personal medical records beyond that point.



Firms are not allowed to deliberately delete records to avoid PPI complaints but if they demonstrated they had a clear data policy which meant the files were removed after a fixed period which they continued to do then there is nothing you can do.

Thrugelmir

charlie1104 wrote: »

Contacted them and their stock answer is that they have no records that are over 6 years old - sorry what financial organisation only retains information for this short period of time!

That's in line with dealing with the HMRC. Customers are free to retain their own paperwork for longer if they so wish.