Natwest say they cannot find my closed account

Kevindurant

When I was 18 I got my first job in a building opposite Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge. I opened my first bank account next door at NatWest. The NatWest has since shut, no idea when but they are claiming they can find no record of me having an account. How do I find my account when I have zero paperwork. Its in regards to PPI. Surely the office closing is irrelevant isn't it, my details should be on an archived file somewhere?

dunstonh

 no idea when but they are claiming they can find no record of me having an account.

How far back are we going?

The data protection rules apply to bank accounts just as much as anything else.   When your relationship with a bank ends, the destruction period speeds up compared to if you still bank with them.

How do I find my account when I have zero paperwork. 

You don't. Its not data that is in the public domain.

Its in regards to PPI.

What has your bank account got to do with PPI?

Surely the office closing is irrelevant isn't it, my details should be on an archived file somewhere?

They retain records for about 6 years after closure.  Then things get archived away. If we are going back to the microfiche days, then the records were stored under account number. Not by name.    However, once again, what has your bank account got to do with a PPI complaint?

TripleH

Kevindurant did you not (or do you not) have any paperwork yourself? 
If you give them as much information as you can (aporoximate month or year account opened and when approximately the account was closed) the more information you can give to make their lives easier to find your account the better.
 Agree with Dunstonh, you will need to explain to the bank why you are claiming PPI. They will not bend over backwards to search their records to find if perhaps you were a customer who now wishes to make a possible claim that may or may not create a liability but will cause them disruption for no benefit. (Not saying you don't have a valid reason, more if you think about it from their view, if you give vague details they may think you are either impersonating someone or pulling their leg).

Kevindurant

I gave the dates I opened the account, closing date, details of salary paid in at the time, different loans over the period and the 4 addresses I lived at during the time I held the account and the dates I was a student at uni.  No I don't have any paperwork, if I did, I would have the necessary evidence. The bank say they are not interested why I want to find the account, as far as they are concerned they have no details of this account. 

Kevindurant

I am hoping a banking employee can shed light on my issue

[Deleted User]

They won't be able to, because they can't find your account, so they can't investigate whatever your issue is. 

dunstonh

Again I ask, how far back are we looking at?   It will let us know if we are talking about the days of microfiche records or computer records.   It would also give an indication of where you fit with the usual destruction of data.

Kevindurant

My Account was closed around 1995. As I say, the bank are aware of the dates in question and have no issue with the dates nor have they said their records do not go back this far but only that they cannot find my account. If they have no issue with the dates then it seems odd they cannot find me. Hoping someone in banking can explain how this works

mclaren32

The account was closed 25 years ago, how long would you expect a bank to keep details for?

dunstonh

My Account was closed around 1995. 

No wonder they have nothing then.  

s I say, the bank are aware of the dates in question and have no issue with the dates nor have they said their records do not go back this far but only that they cannot find my account.

They cannot find your account and records would have been destroyed.  However, some bits would have been filed away under account number.  If you still banked with them, some records would still exist.

brettcta

Bank employee checking in to re-affirm the above.