I got someone else's letter from Natwest...

piranhalikethat

Hi guys,

I'm a bit puzzled as to what to do about this -

I recently set up a payment arrangement with Natwest to get my overdraft cleared, and when I got it confirmed to me in writing, there was someone else's plan in the envelope with mine!!

Now I know I should forward this onto the correct person (and I'm going to, first thing Monday morning) but do you reckon I could get anything out of the bank??

If someone other than myself had seen my bank account number, my balance and address details I would be so annoyed!!

gazebo

Personally I would contact the Natwest and tell them about this because it is a breach of the Data Protection Act.

If you plan on forwarding it on to the other person, I would also tell them you have done this to ensure they are aware of the fact their information has been passed out to a third party.

Let them know that you have told Natwest (you don't need to let them know who you are) and suggest that they should do the same.

It is good of you to forward the info on, but the Natwest will possibly ask you just to destroy it.

In terms of you getting anything from the bank, it is unlikely, however the other party involved would possibly be due some form of compensation.

Mark7799

Why should you get anything?

The person whose details you've got may receive something as their details have been breached but not you.

Mikeyorks

gazebo wrote: »

Personally I would contact the Natwest and tell them about this because it is a breach of the Data Protection Act.

No .... it's a mistake. Probably a bit of a glitch on their mailing machines and the operator didn't clear a jam properly - which resulted in 2 items in the same envelope. In any event 'Data Protection' doesn't cover loose bits of paper .. it's 'electronic data and paper in a complex filing system'.

Best way is to simply send it back to the Bank with an explanation.

gordonstights

piranhalikethat wrote: »

when I got it confirmed to me in writing, there was someone else's plan in the envelope with mine!!

Was this the Arnold branch that did this?! I was on the phone to them a couple of months ago and heard them playing an answerphone message (in the background) of one of my customers asking them to ring them about a problem with their account. I was tempted to ring my customer and tell them I had heard this message, but I didn't. Anyway the point I am making is that it doesn't surprise me that Natwest f***ed up. They are a noddy bank.

dellwear

Mikeyorks wrote: »

No .... it's a mistake. Probably a bit of a glitch on their mailing machines and the operator didn't clear a jam properly - which resulted in 2 items in the same envelope. In any event 'Data Protection' doesn't cover loose bits of paper .. it's 'electronic data and paper in a complex filing system'.

Best way is to simply send it back to the Bank with an explanation.

'Data Protection' doesn't cover loose bits of paper .. it's 'electronic data and paper in a complex filing system'

***BUZZ*** wrong - includes "personal" data in all formats.
Glitch my !!!!!:rotfl:

MyMateMartin

Just shred it.

gazebo

Mikeyorks

Whilst yes technically it is a mistake, it is also a breach of the DPA because they have provided information to a third party that should not have been passed out.

Irrespective of it being a 'glitch in a machine' or a 'human error', the bank need to know about these things.

How would you feel if the bank accidentally sent your information out to another party and you were made aware of it?

Scousebird_2

I don't think you are entitled to anything from the bank-other than an apology for the inconvenience the event has caused-I would return the documentation to the bank with a letter of 'concern' and request that it be recorded so it can be investigated because it is not acceptable. Nothing is perfect, I appreciate that-humans as well as machines...but i'm sure that they should be made aware in case they have had any other incidents that they already know of, so this doesn't happen to someone else in future

HeadInSand_2

As soon as I read the title I thought to myself "I bet compensation is mentioned"
Compensation for what? Did you need a sit down and some hot sweet tea to recover from the ordeal? Do you wake up screaming in the night with cold sweats?
The person whose details have gone walkabouts should get an apology though - at the end of the day it'd be easier just to shred the irrelevant sheets and get on with life.

Mikeyorks

dellwear wrote: »

includes "personal" data in all formats.

From the DPA site :

The Data Protection Act covers computer records and some manual records

....... namely those in 'complex filing systems' - as I quoted. I'll leave it to you to tell them they're wrong?