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Original poster

Bank really messed up

20 replies

Threecrookedhearts · 26/03/2022 22:56

My husband of 20 yrs walked out on me end of January. We'd always only had a joint bank account so I asked him to open his own and I'd keep the account. It was my account before we married and has a great credit score. So we duly sent the paperwork off and it took ages but the bank confirmed he was off the account and his card would no longer work. Yey! Fast forward about a month and today stbxh tells me that when he logs into online banking on his phone he can see my account. We're not amicable. He never even had the banking app before we split up so it's not like he had access before. I've been paid my annual bonus this week. He's turning nasty and I don't think it'll be long before he stops paying his half of the mortgage and loans. Now he can see i have savings (bonus). I felt completely sick when he told me. Now I'm just v angry as well. Can I sue the bank does anyone know?

OP posts:

GrazingSheep · 26/03/2022 22:58

You need to speak to the bank first to see how this happened.
Did you close the joint account?

Specter123 · 26/03/2022 23:03

There's no loss yet so jumping to sueing probably isn't the best first thing to go to.

Enquiry to the bank and a follow up complaint if required?

Do you know he can definitely see it and isn't lying?

ivykaty44 · 26/03/2022 23:04

I’d write to the bank - opposed to speaking to them

Outline what has happened
Then write out the consequences of their actions

The bank have failed, your data has been shared.

Wait and see what the bank respond with

Then go back and let them know whether you are satisfied or not

You can contact the ICO and let the bank know that is your plan

MelCat · 26/03/2022 23:08

As an aside your bank account does not have a credit score. Your credit score is predominately based on how well you borrow money and pay it back (mortgage, credit cards etc). I would open your own personal account and get paid into that. You can leave your old account for “joint bills” to be paid out of.

Original poster

Threecrookedhearts · 26/03/2022 23:44

@GrazingSheep

You need to speak to the bank first to see how this happened. Did you close the joint account?

No. I kept it but just in my name only. Same account number as always though.

OP posts:

Original poster

Threecrookedhearts · 26/03/2022 23:47

@Specter123

There's no loss yet so jumping to sueing probably isn't the best first thing to go to.

Enquiry to the bank and a follow up complaint if required?

Do you know he can definitely see it and isn't lying?

Yes definitely. He told me that he knew how much was in there. He can see all my transactions. I've been really frugal whilst he's wineing and dining ow. But there was no council tax to pay last month and my gas/elec DD just jumped £60 never mind everything else. He's basically saying I don't need all of the agreed maintenance.

OP posts:

Ozanj · 26/03/2022 23:49

Yes you can sue the bank in this instance as it seems they didn’t remove his name from the account properly. If he will get violent they may be willing to pay for personal security (a large well known bank has done this for my friend for 3 years and counting).

Specter123 · 26/03/2022 23:51

In that case, go to the bank ASAP in writing ideally and mention data protection. I'd be very surprised if they don't Sort it immediately and offer you some sort of ex gratia.

Specter123 · 26/03/2022 23:51

Good luck!

DDouble2BubbleNot · 27/03/2022 15:22

Have you tried changing your password for your online banking first ?

SolasAnla · 27/03/2022 15:40

@DDouble2BubbleNot

Have you tried changing your password for your online banking first ?

That is unlikely to work The bank have linked ex's profile to the old account and to the new account on their client management level so he may be able to retain a view under his own access and password.

OP i would recomend that you open up a single account with new number. Some of the banking systems run legacy systems which create links so the staff need to break the same link in multiple places. He knows your birth date and can likely answer any security questions.
Plus the old account will still show up internally on his history as anti-money laundering controls would require the bank to be able to examine all the transactions he was involved with while he remains a customer.

Frlrlrubert · 27/03/2022 15:56

The bank sent DH statements for a business account he used to hold with another bloke for YEARS after he had himself removed/left the company/asked to be removed.

He would phone them every month saying they were in breach of GDPR/business confidentiality and it still took forever for them to sort it. I think he might have gone to the financial ombudsman in the end, or threatened to.

LemonTT · 27/03/2022 17:22

I assume if he had online access details before, then he still has them. I can get In with Face ID.

I’d check if it is your responsibility or theirs to change the access. I cannot imagine it was the banks.

Original poster

Threecrookedhearts · 27/03/2022 18:38

@LemonTT

I assume if he had online access details before, then he still has them. I can get In with Face ID.

I’d check if it is your responsibility or theirs to change the access. I cannot imagine it was the banks.

No he had no clue hot to login before to our joint account and doesn't now have the login details. He opened a new account in his own name but they've linked my account (our old account) to his new account. So annoyed it's taken him 5 weeks to tell me too.

OP posts:

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 27/03/2022 18:55

No you can’t sue them. However you can complain to them. If you want to be taken seriously I would advise complaining in writing to the chief executive (named) and send by recorded delivery. Some financial institutions have a more rigorous process to CE complaints. They have contravened GDPR by sharing your personal data with an unauthorised 3rd party. He does have rights I’ve that account data but only up to the point in time his name was removed and not after that point. They have to out this right.
Also open a new account and close this one down. Unfortunately some banking systems will repeatedly link accounts incorrectly so if the account remains open there is a possibility it may happen again.
I’d also ask for compensation. I’d state that this needs to be resolved to your satisfaction (with the new account opened and compensation) otherwise you’ll go to the financial ombudsman. Each referral costs them £750 so personally I’d ask for that amount in compensation.

Bushkin · 27/03/2022 18:58

Definitely complain, also switch your account to a new one tomorrow

DDouble2BubbleNot · 27/03/2022 20:34

Some banks are offering £150 cash to switch to their bank
Look on Money Saving Expert website, under banking. It will show you a selection of offers from different banks

Lineofconcepcion · 27/03/2022 22:37

I think this is such a dreadful breach of your privacy particularly as you are engaged in litigation against your husband, you should follow the banks complaint process and if you are not offered a substantial amount go to the ombudsman. I received 2.8k in compensation following a total cock up by L bank.

Lineofconcepcion · 27/03/2022 22:38

@Idontgiveagriffindamn

No you can’t sue them. However you can complain to them. If you want to be taken seriously I would advise complaining in writing to the chief executive (named) and send by recorded delivery. Some financial institutions have a more rigorous process to CE complaints. They have contravened GDPR by sharing your personal data with an unauthorised 3rd party. He does have rights I’ve that account data but only up to the point in time his name was removed and not after that point. They have to out this right. Also open a new account and close this one down. Unfortunately some banking systems will repeatedly link accounts incorrectly so if the account remains open there is a possibility it may happen again. I’d also ask for compensation. I’d state that this needs to be resolved to your satisfaction (with the new account opened and compensation) otherwise you’ll go to the financial ombudsman. Each referral costs them £750 so personally I’d ask for that amount in compensation.

£750 is not enough.

LakieLady · 29/03/2022 11:55

@Lineofconcepcion

I was going to suggest this, too.

It's a shocking breach of GDPR, and at a time when divorce proceedings are ongoing and finances will be an issue couldn't be worse.

Mind you, if it gets as far as going to court, all that info would probably be in the Form E anyway.

I'd put in a formal complaint, straight away, and include the fact that it's a GDPR breach.

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