Banks named and shamed for dumping customer data - Brand Republic News - Brand Republic

Banks named and shamed for dumping customer data - Brand Republic News - Brand Republic: "Banks named and shamed for dumping customer data
by Joe Lepper Brand Republic 14-Mar-07, 14:45
LONDON - The Information Commissioner has named and shamed 13 banks, financial firms and organisations for 'carelessly' dumping customer information in outside bins and putting them at risk of identity fraud.
Those named by the information watchdog include HBOS, Alliance & Leicester, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays Bank, all of which were found to have discarded personal data in outside bins.They have now been ordered to adhere to information disposal requirements under the Data Protection Act and warned that failure to comply could result in prosecution.ADVERTISEMENT

Others named by the watchdog for disposing of personal data in outside bins are the Immigration Advisory Service, Scarborough Building Society, NatWest, Clydesdale Bank, United National Bank, Co-operative Bank, HFC Bank, Nationwide Building Society and the Post Office.David Smith, deputy information commissioner, said: 'It is unacceptable for banks and other organisations to carelessly discard their customers' information.'It is vital that banks and other organisations take security seriously. If they do not, they not only risk further action from the Information Commissioner but also risk losing the trust of their customers.'"