How long does a bank remember bad debt?

societys_child

Willing2Learn wrote: »

Anyhow, they (NatWest) have emailed me saying


We noticed that you recently started to apply for a Select Account, but it looks like you didn't finish your application. If you are unsure how to answer some of the questions, we're here to help.
Request a free call back at a time that suits you. We'll help you open an account over the phone.

This is probably just an automated email, but I might just ask them for a telephone appointment for Monday. You never know lol....

When I applied, it timed out and I had to start again. I completed the application on the second attempt and opened an account.

I got the same email afterwards, so it definitely looks like an automated email.

Willing2Learn

I've decided to make a complaint about how my personal data is used and how it is stored without limitation.

bazzyb

Willing2Learn wrote: »

I've decided to make a complaint about how my personal data is used and how it is stored without limitation.

For what reason?

Willing2Learn

Breach of GPDR rules in the most part.

Also the fact that anyone with a defaulted NatWest account cannot bank with NatWest. That is too broader brushstroke and does not treat all customers fairly. A customer who settles a defaulted account is treated no differently to a customer who makes no attempt to pay...

I only give myself a 40% chance of success at best...

bazzyb

Willing2Learn wrote: »

Breach of GPDR rules in the most part.

Also the fact that anyone with a defaulted NatWest account cannot bank with NatWest. That is too broader brushstroke and does not treat all customers fairly. A customer who settles a defaulted account is treated no differently to a customer who makes no attempt to pay...

I only give myself a 40% chance of success at best...

If Natwest has a policy - and is able to justify it - that certain data can be kept indefinitely, there is unlikely to be any GDPR issue. I would think personally that bad debt etc would be a justifiable reason to retain data.

With regards to treating customers fairly, when products are designed and introduced they would need to decide the types of customers they are looking to attract, and their appetite for risk. If they decide that your profile is not the kind of risk they want to cover, there is nothing inherently unfair with this so long as all customers are treated in the same way. Therefore a blanket ban, ie excluding all customers who have previously defaulted them, could actually be seen as a good way of treating customers fairly as it drives consistent decisions. Furthermore, Natwest have a duty to take particular care when dealing with less financially-capable customers, which could be an additional reason as to why they have such measures in place.

I'd be interested to see what kind of response you get but I'm not clear at this stage what you are hoping to achieve or what you will class as a "success"?

eskbanker

Willing2Learn wrote: »

I've decided to make a complaint about how my personal data is used and how it is stored without limitation.

Surely the first step would be to submit a Subject Access Request to find out (a) how your data is used and (b) how long it'll be stored for, rather than complaining based on assumptions from what's said on here?

https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-of-access/ clarifies:

You are also entitled to be told the following things:

• What it is using your data for.
• Who it is sharing your data with.
• How long it will store your data, and how it made this decision.
• Information on your rights to challenge the accuracy of your data, to have it deleted, or to object to its use.
• [...]

Perhaps worth reading up on https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-to-get-your-data-deleted/ too - it seems unlikely to me that a customer with some negative history with an organisation can simply insist that the slate is wiped clean, but looking at this from a strictly GDPR perspective there aren't many obvious legitimate justifications for the bank to object to doing so....

Willing2Learn

SAR has been requested

bazzyb wrote: »

... I'm not clear at this stage what you are hoping to achieve or what you will class as a "success"?

What do I want to achieve? I want NatWest policy to permanently blacklist defaulted customers to change. I want the right to open an account with NatWest to be upheld as that would signify success. I am not seeking compensation.

It is just horrible being permanently blacklisted. Even ex-offenders get a second chance when their offences are considered spent.

[Deleted User]

Willing2Learn wrote: »

SAR has been requested

What do I want to achieve? I want NatWest policy to permanently blacklist defaulted customers to change. I want the right to open an account with NatWest to be upheld as that would signify success. I am not seeking compensation.

It is just horrible being permanently blacklisted. Even ex-offenders get a second chance when their offences are considered spent.

I get that - but it's down to them who they do and don't want to have as customer and how long they can "blacklist" someone for - the same goes for any other industry.

Likewise you may be able to open an account, but further down the line they may decide to close it, and are not required to give a reason why.

EarthBoy

Willing2Learn wrote: »

I want the right to open an account with NatWest to be upheld

There is no such right. Banks can decide who they want as customers, providing they don't discriminate on grounds of gender, race, sexuality, etc.

If they don't want you, you'll just have to live with it and find a different bank.

JuicyJesus

Willing2Learn wrote: »

What do I want to achieve? I want NatWest policy to permanently blacklist defaulted customers to change.

To reiterate the point: you have no such right. They're a private business who can refuse any customers they please for any reason not contrary to law.

They are especially perfectly within their rights to refuse to have someone as a customer who has a history of bad debt with them, and I'm not sure why you'd think you should have a second chance.