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Lloyds Bank - Breaking Data Protection & Charges

I would love some advice on this. I have an account with Lloyds bank which was an old student account (with overdraft facility naturally!).

In May 2005, someone (not me) changed the address on the bank account, and since then, I have had problems in any communications with them and they have been sending my bank statements to another address. Since i wasnt living at that address - and never had, and never gave authorisation for the change, I have had nearly 1000 pounds of charges applied to the account.

They plagued me with messages on my mobile and home phone number and then refused to speak to me as the address that i have lived at for over 7 years was not the one they had against the account.

I resorted to a fomal complaint (details that i gathered from the banking complaints website) - and evenutally got a response telling me that I had to present my passport and a utility bill to the bank to rectify this but that I still owed the money to them. In my letter of complaint i said this was unjust and that they had contravened the data protection act in a big way by sending my personal bank statements to an alternative address. I did go into a bank, but told them to record that I was doing this under protest. (it makes me mad to think about it!!)

I have responded saying that I am unwilling to accept this as i had clearly done nothing wrong, and i expected a copy of the signed agreement that they must therefor hold saying that i agreed to the change of address. This they can obviously not provide, as it doesnt exist.

I am just wondering really where i go from here, and what i can do about the data protection act etc etc. I feel really strongly over this, as they are being completely unjust in this matter and I simply refuse to give in to them and their alleged power.

Any ideas, support or knowledge would be greatfully recieved as I simply will not give up.
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Comments

  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Escalate it to the financial ombudsman. http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

    I would warn Lloyds TSB first in writing that you are going to do this if they don't cancel the charges as the bank and insurance company I had issues with, when I stated I was going to escalate my complaint to the financial ombudsman they sorted it out very quickly.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • Dagobert
    Dagobert Posts: 1,625 Forumite
    You have to demonstrate to the Financial Ombudsman that you attempted to resolve the matter with the bank first before contacting them.
    Dagobert
  • battyboimatt
    battyboimatt Posts: 622 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Well someone must of passed DPA, or they wouldnt of changed the address anyway, its like me going in and asking to change my mothers address to mine, I would fail all the security checks, and they wont have a singed agrement either as it will of been done under instruction at a branch or over the phone, to which they may have a record of
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Were you using the account, did you have internet banking, did the balance never flash up when you either tried to withdraw cash from an ATM or counter?
    Student accounts are free of interest and charges unless you go over an agreed overdraft limit - why were they charging you - what caused you go to go O/D or over your limit?

    From what I have read so far, sure someone has made a mistake with your address but that does not explain why the bank is charging you.
  • Night-owl_6
    Night-owl_6 Posts: 858 Forumite
    Bring this matter to the attention of the The Financial Ombudsman Service

    The Financial Ombudsman Service
    South Quay Plaza
    183 Marsh Wall
    London E14 9SR
    DELETE ACCOUNT.

    NO LONGER WANTED

    DELETE ACCOUNT

    Due to certain users I no longer wish to use this forum
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Dagobert wrote: »
    You have to demonstrate to the Financial Ombudsman that you attempted to resolve the matter with the bank first before contacting them.

    Quite easy for the OP to do since they wrote letters to the bank and the bank replied. Unfortunately as the bank has decided not to take it seriously enough then referring them to the Financial Ombudsman may be the only way to get the matter resolved.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    To be honest I think poster is a troll.
  • ShelfStacker_3
    ShelfStacker_3 Posts: 2,180 Forumite
    To be honest I think poster is a troll.

    You think everyone is a troll.
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You think everyone is a troll.
    Well he started this thread and has not bothered to come back and read the replies has he?
  • ShelfStacker_3
    ShelfStacker_3 Posts: 2,180 Forumite
    And he probably has other things to do beside reading MSE all day. Give the guy a break...
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