....to get peed off about data protection sometimes?

[Aero]

All I want to do is change a direct debit date to suit dh's new payday, but will they let me do it on his behalf? Oh no - that would be breaking the law! Grrr. It's not like I'm doing any major money moving or anything weird like runnig off with cash......I have his full permission to do so, but they won't deal with me. They are open 9-5 Mon-Fri. He leaves the house 7.15am and returns anytime after 8.30pm. He works like a trojan and this kind of thing would not be high on his list of priorities and he just wouldn't get around to it. I manage our finances at home, and it's pretty important to us that our loan gets paid pretty sharpish after payday.

It's just so annoying (and I do appreciate why it's there)that I can't do this simple thing without immense hassle, and it's a total inconvenience. They're not even open on Sat ams so he could do it then! (annoyed emoticon needed - not quite at the fuming stage, but needed a rant)!

I know the feeling, last week when I came out of hopsital I got back home (friend brought me back) to find that H had popped over to his place with the DS's (except I didn't know where he was at this point) and wasn't there.

I didn't have my keys with me, or my mobile, and couldn't remember his mobile number. So we went down to DS2's nursery to ask if they had it.....because we're seperated they would't give it to me because of Data Protection!!!

Thankfully I know the Headteacher very well from church and she sat on the phone for 1/2hr trying to get hold of him while I went back to my friends house for a sit down and a coffee. She let H know I wanted to get back into my house and then rang us to let us know he was on his way back...

Really annoying isn't it. You poor thing.

It happens at school too - fair enough. I understand they aren't allowed to give out numbers etc. At least at school though, they'll make a call for you to ask if it's ok etc.

I'm just trying to make sure they get their money on time though (before we spend it . That is all! Just can't understand why they can't do that much. Some companies will move the date ok, but won't discuss amounts etc. Not a problem really, but this has proved a total pita!

I have spoken to dh though and he's going to try and remember to do it on Monday, but I won't hold my breath!

the daft thing is that I have H's number on my mobile and home phone (which I couldn't access due to not being able to get in) and it was me who gave them his new mobile number when he changed it

Could you register to do banking online?

We had this problem until I got dh to ring all the utility companies etc and got the bills changed to both our names. If you don't fancy on line banking or changing to joint names, sign up with companies that are open until later in the day.

We do have online banking Sugarybits. We just have a loan with Northern Rock (they should be glad we're paying them back in their current position!!)

I think as they collect the DD, rather than it going as a standing order, then I can't adjust the date myself AFAIK.

Ah sorry Aero, I thought you would be able to change the DD online. Hope you get it sorted on Monday!

my friend recently lost his father, and had to call utility companies, banks ect to sort things out. Almost all of them said that his father had to ring himself due to data protection, despite already being told that the man had died, virgin media were insistant that nothing could be done until they had spoken to him, even though my friend had sent them a copy of the death cert.
i understand why we have data protection laws, i just dont understand why we no longer have the ability to use common sense.

On the other side of the coin, I spoke to an elderly lady who was really unsure of the people who were doing decorating in her house. (I work in a bank) She was being charged about 5-6k for putting lining paper and wallpaper up in about 2 rooms. She left without me being able to resolve it for her, she had no-one she could turn to for support. I phoned trading standards to report them on behalf of her and they came down to the branch, but I was unable to supply them with her address as it would contravene data protection.

I left to go on Mat. leave a few days later. I've actually spoken to her last week and gave her Trading standards number to report them. She says she still sees them as they live opposite her and they also did a bad job. (this was 18 months ago)

She can't believe that I remember the whole incident - it really makes me sick that they got away with conning an old lady and I had no power to stop it.

You can change them on line at my bank so all you do is he gives you his on line banking codes or you have a joint accounts for everything as we always did and then you do it for him.

Warning - do not let on to your banks know that your partner knows your online passwords. If you're victim to online fraud you have to prove that you have been vigilant in keeping your sign-on details secure. (common sense really)