Abbey cocked up, leaving me with family problems!

matty999

Last year i went to open a bank account with Abbey, i took my driving licence, passport, and utility bill, all were scanned and i was told to return in 5 days for my documents, passbook etc.

I returned the 5 days later, and was brought my documents, only one problem, everything was in my brothers name, his DOB, his address, his telephone, the lot. They said a mistake had been made as he was already a customer.

However my brother then got a letter through saying i had opened an account, which had subsequently been opened in his name and apologising, he took this as ME opening an account in his name, and a large family row erupted.

To this day one year on, i am not allowed to see my nephew, or partake in family parties etc, because he thinks i opened an account in his name in some sort of fraud attempt.

Where do i stand making a personal claim for damages against abbey, is there any point? Im so furious now and feel they should receive some sort of punishment for my pain!

Dylanwing

Abbey may have made the original mess up, but really the problem lies between you and your brother. A phone call to the Bank for clarification, or perhaps you visiting together so that it could all be explained, and all would be well, and he would be aware that you had done nothing untoward. Is there anyone who your Brother might listen to, if it was explained that it was a Bank error? If you contacted the Bank, they might write to Bro and explain it was their error, although it sounds like he has made his mind up, and won't listen.

matty999

I understand what you are saying, but the problem isnt between me and my brother, my argument is that this should never have happened, and if abbey had done their job right in the first place this would never have been an issue. Abbey already wrote to my brother saying it was a mistake, but he has said to my parents he doesnt believe a bank could make such a mistake and doesnt believe he is getting the full story.

I really dont think Abbey should be able to get away with this, ive had my name tarnished locally, with rumours, and even insults from people who i dont know in the pub, saying im a fraudster etc. Its a real joke and im happy to risk money going to court over it. My question is, is there any point, would the court rule in my favour, i find it hard to believe that anyone can make such a mistake, clearly someone isnt doing their job correctly!

Forgot to add, yes you are right, he has made his mind up and is extremely stubborn, to be honest i believe our relationship to be irrecoverable due to their almighty !!!! up.

KTF

Sounds like the issue lies with your brother rather than the bank. In the unlikley event that it goes to court, Abbey will produce the letters they have sent to your brother to prove that they have attempted to make amends. If your brother doesnt accept this then its not their problem.

YorkshireBoy

Have you, at any time since this started, made an official complaint?

If not, then surely that's your first step.

At the end of the day though, what do you want to happen? Abbey have already written to your brother. Would a separate letter from the FOS help appease the situation? I doubt it somehow. Would the offer of compensation help appease the situation? Again, I suspect not.

At the end of the day, the problem seems to be with your brother. Maybe there's something else you're not telling us about (some past 'history' perhaps?), because a letter from Abbey, a major UK financial institution, confirming THEY messed up would surely satisfy any reasonable person.

RayWolfe

Yea, take it to court. Spend some money to be laughed at. Sounds like fun. Could you let us all know when the case is, then we could all come along to have a giggle.
Meanwhile, try to get your brother into treatment somewhere.

matty999

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

At the end of the day, the problem seems to be with your brother. Maybe there's something else you're not telling us about (some past 'history' perhaps?), because a letter from Abbey, a major UK financial institution, confirming THEY messed up would surely satisfy any reasonable person.

Why does everyone always seem to think there is "SOMETHING YOUR NOT TELLING ME". We had a great relationship prior to this, hes just doesnt believe it. He even accused me of sending the letter pretending to be from Abbey, when it was in an abbey envelope, letterhead etc.

As regards the above poster, and being laughed at. I think everyone seems to be MISSING THE POINT, Abbey made a !!!! up, they should pay for it. Simple as that. Would i keep my job if i opened a distribution account in another businesses details, than the proposed business, NO. And quite likely we would have to offer compensation to the business we have affected. Why do banks get away with it? Because people like you lot let them.

YorkshireBoy

matty999 wrote: »

Why does everyone always seem to think there is "SOMETHING YOUR NOT TELLING ME".

Bluntly?...because any reasonable person, and especially a sibling, wouldn't act the way your brother is doing.

What about the other points I raised?

matty999

KTF wrote: »

Sounds like the issue lies with your brother rather than the bank. In the unlikley event that it goes to court, Abbey will produce the letters they have sent to your brother to prove that they have attempted to make amends. If your brother doesnt accept this then its not their problem.

The error they made, IS their problem im afraid. And its not an acceptable one. I have had unconfirmed advice that the fact that this matter is the basis for the overall issue, can be followed up, letter or no letter sent by abbey. If they had done their job correctly, there would have been no issue. Seems you lot find that hard to understand dont you. Maybe some of you work for the Abbey? Wouldnt surprise me.

YorkshireBoy

matty999 wrote: »

Because people like you lot let them.

That's a very irrational statement!

matty999

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Bluntly?...because any reasonable person, and especially a sibling, wouldn't act the way your brother is doing.

What about the other points I raised?

To be honest dude, every reply so far has told me its not Abbeys problem its mine and my brothers.

There would have been no problem if they hadnt fraudulently opened an account in my brothers name, with all my scanned documents, and then said to him that it was me who initiated the opening of the account. Hardly acceptable.

Ok its my problem they messed up, and to a certain extent i would agree my brother is not reasonable, but they caused this situation and should be liable for the problems arising for it, to a degree.