Bank sending message re loan I don't have

[ZanyMobster]

I kind of know IANBU but I guess this is a more 'should I be worried'. I received a text from my bank today to say that my car finance balance payment is due this week. It gave a reference number and a link to the website to pay. I didn't follow the link but checked it out online separately. It all looked legit so I called them.

I don't have car finance but have in the past, all paid off as far as I am aware.

Anyway, basically they said that it is someone else's account and that they have my phone number attached to it. They said they would check to make sure my bank account wasn't linked to it.

I missed a call back from them so called them back, another person answered and just said they will take my phone number off it. I questioned about my bank account and I was told that there is no way that could happen (even though the previous advisor said they wanted to check that - I wouldn't have even thought of it). They just said all it was was the wrong number on there. I asked how that could happen and they said that it was the number they were given when they set up the amount. They even told me the persons name who has that loan. I said I find that hard to believe, especially as I am a customer of theirs also. They were prety rude about it and just said there is no way they made a mistake, the customer must have given them my number.

Should I be concerned at all? I don't believe they were given the wrong number. If that can happen then they potentially could other details mixed up.

Sorry, this is longer than I expected . . .

Van- no not necessarily, possibly only my phone number that they linked to another customer's account. If their procedures are slack though it could well be mine that is handled incorrectly.

It is Santander.

It was OP's phone number, @VanGoghsDog. I would call that her data.

Check your credit reference with experian, will show credit transactions.

Phone numbers are also recycled, this could have happened. I still had my friends old phone number and it just popped up as someone totally random one day on what's app.

Giving you the person's name on the loan is a data protection breach, which is far worse than someone giving or mis-typing a person's phone number.

It was OP's phone number, @VanGoghsDog. I would call that her data.

Using someone's phone number, that you have on your file, when they are your customer, is not a breach of any data law.

Telling her another person's name who has a loan IS, but it's a breach of that person's data not hers.

I can't see how them texting her is a breach to HER?

If their procedures are slack though it could well be mine that is handled incorrectly.

Yes, but you cannot complain that "you did x therefore I think you might do or also have done y", can you?

I have an outstanding complaint with TSB as they have linked my current account to my ex partner, he was never on that account, it was never a joint account, we never had a joint account with TSB, though we did have a joint mortgage for a year or so with them. They sent an email to me but put his name as the addressee.

The potential here is that they have wrongly linked our financial records - it's not a data breach though. They have my email address and they are allowed to use it.
He doesn't know it has happened, as far as I know, because I've not told him.
TSB have had this complaint from me for a year and not responded. I just want to make sure they know it's my account, not his!

Anyway - OP should file a complaint if she feels strongly about it. Not sure I'd bother myself.

I do feel that although potentially my data may be quite safe, they still gave me someone else's info re a loan they have. I could have been specifically trying to get info about that person.

Yes, but you cannot complain that "you did x therefore I think you might do or also have done y", can you?

Actually I think that is quite a valid complaint. I do understand what you are saying though but the thing I am not sure about is whether there has been a breach or not. What else has been merged to his account from mine. Hopefully nothing and it's just a typo.

So someone coincidently accidentally typed your contact phone number when taking out a car finance loan from the bank you also bank with?

The mistype in the phone number is easily explained but with it being your bank as well I’d want something in writing as it seems weirdly coincidental.

And I would refer to the IPO - they have released identifiable data about another customer to you.
That’s not acceptable and like you said would make you concerned about exactly how relaxed they are about data in general.

What's the IPO?

If you mean the ICO, they will do nothing about someone just being told a name.

If the OP feels her data is not safe (which is understandable), she should move banks - vote with your feet. When you find one that has had zero data issues ever, let us know.....maybe Metro? Or Monzo?

Yes sorry the ICO.

And no, they probably won’t do anything about just one customer reporting it...but over time it’s never just one customer is it?

Banjo- yes I feel the same, just think it can't be a coincidence. That's when the woman was rude and just kept repeating 'it's the number we were given when the loan was taken out'!