This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6093600.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Banks facing fines over ID thefts | Banks facing fines over ID thefts |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Several leading banks may be facing unlimited fines over allegations that they dumped confidential customer account details in bin bags on streets. | |
| The information watchdog, Richard Thomas, told the Times that he had received "highly disturbing evidence". | |
| He is investigating alleged lapses by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Halifax, HSBC, Natwest and Post Office, it said. | He is investigating alleged lapses by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Halifax, HSBC, Natwest and Post Office, it said. |
| The British Bankers Association said it was normal practice to dispose of confidential information securely. | The British Bankers Association said it was normal practice to dispose of confidential information securely. |
| It said this was done using specialist rubbish collection teams. | It said this was done using specialist rubbish collection teams. |
| Mr Thomas told the newspaper he is considering enforcement action which could result in unlimited fines. | Mr Thomas told the newspaper he is considering enforcement action which could result in unlimited fines. |
| He said banks advised people to be careful with personal information and to do things such as shred everything because of identity theft was a "growing problem". | He said banks advised people to be careful with personal information and to do things such as shred everything because of identity theft was a "growing problem". |
| "If the banks themselves are being careless with the information, that seems to me to be wholly unacceptable," he said. | "If the banks themselves are being careless with the information, that seems to me to be wholly unacceptable," he said. |
| Mr Thomas said among the findings in bin bags were bank statements, loan applications which had been turned down and paying-in slips. | Mr Thomas said among the findings in bin bags were bank statements, loan applications which had been turned down and paying-in slips. |
| It comes after BBC investigators found customer names, addresses and account details when rifling through discarded rubbish. | It comes after BBC investigators found customer names, addresses and account details when rifling through discarded rubbish. |
| The team, from BBC One's Watchdog, warned that the information could be used by criminals to steal clients' identities. | The team, from BBC One's Watchdog, warned that the information could be used by criminals to steal clients' identities. |
| Mr Thomas said he would look into their findings, the team said. | Mr Thomas said he would look into their findings, the team said. |