Should I be concerned?

bridiej

Went into a local branch to open three accounts: 2 x kids savings and a joint account.

The kids savings got opened up there and then and I got a printout for each showing the account numbers etc. The joint account she took the paperwork and said something would be in the post.

Two weeks later, nothing has arrived so I just rang the call centre and basically nothing has been opened.

So what's happened to our paperwork?

The application form had all our personal details (the usual full name, address, date of birth, phone no) plus employer's details, income, mortgage owed and, more importantly, our signatures.

Should I be concerned that this appears to have gone walkabout? Can anything "bad" happen if someone got hold of this or should I just let it go?

Thanks

mum2one

i would personnaly go back to the branch, it may be something as simple as its been put into someones "in tray" while there was a query and other stuff as got piled on top.
The call centre would only in theory be able to deal with accounts that are up and running, so in one way its a good thing the accounts not open as you know theres no account, but bad as in whats happened to the paper trail.
Def the location where you opened the account.

bridiej

Yes, think I'll go in tomorrow.....

If they can't find it should I be worried?

I'm just not feeling comfortable at the thought of details and signatures being "out there" somewhere.....

mum2one

Also - to be on the safe side, order a credit file of both yours and ur wife will need to order hers.

also - bit time consuming but better to be a fusspot than get ripped off, ring any companies that you have debits going to just explain the situation, and as a result of this you want to set up a password on the account or change a new one, and offer to put this in writing if necessary, bear in mind recorded delievery goes through the normal post system , just gets a signature or if its something you are highly concerned of then would recommend special delievery £4.30 for a letter, but guarentees delievery (peace of mind).

Also ring any body who pays into the account - wages, tax credits, child benefits etc.

better to be safe and waste a day on the phone.

I would definatley contact the financial obsbumen and put a complaint in about the bank in question, god forbid anything has happened youve already got the big boys on side.

bridiej

Thanks for the info
Not sure if we can get credit scores here (Aus).....
I'll go into the branch tomorrow and see what happens from there. Fingers crossed it's like you said and in someone's tray, otherwise I'll think about taking it further.

Thomas_Crown

mum2one wrote: »

I would definatley contact the financial obsbumen and put a complaint in about the bank in question, god forbid anything has happened youve already got the big boys on side.

Iirc you can't complain to the Financial Ombudsman until you have made an official complaint to your bank & given them time to investigate properly & respond accordingly. Give your bank time to investigate & if you are still not happy for some reason, then take matters further.

tom188

I would definatley contact the financial obsbumen and put a complaint in about the bank in question, god forbid anything has happened youve already got the big boys on side.

Why do so many people suggest this as a first step? All the FOS will do is put the complaint in an envelope and send it to the institution concerned, and the cost to tax payers of this time cannot be spent on more needy causes elsewhere.