John
04-11-2009, 06:24 AM
For 16 years, Patricia Pheasant has pleaded with Barclays bank to stop sending her the bank statements of another woman.
For 16 years, they’ve ignored her.
Every three months since 1992, when Mrs Pheasant moved into her home in Willow Road, Dartford, the statements - containing the confidential sort code and account number of Barclays customer Sandra Barlow - have dropped on to her doormat.
The 42-year-old has regularly contacted the bank and told them of the error, but no action was taken - until News Shopper got involved.
Mrs Pheasant said: “I have contacted Barclays so many times to tell them to stop sending Miss Barlow’s bank statements here, but they keep coming, and a less honest person could try to use the details illegally.
“With the threat of identity fraud, and the emphasis on being careful with identity and bank details, I think this is disgusting.
“When I first moved into the house I heard from neighbours that the previous occupant was an old lady who had died.
“When I kept getting letters addressed to Miss Barlow, I thought she may be the previous occupant and opened the letters to see who they were from so I could tell them to stop writing.”
Mrs Pheasant says she has been unable to contact Miss Barlow or a relative to report the situation as she does not know her address or telephone number.
After numerous phone calls, letters and emails to Barclays over 16 years had no impact, she decided to contact News Shopper to “get publicity to put pressure on Barclays to address the mistake”.
A spokesman for Barclays said: “We have apologised to Mrs Pheasant for the inconvenience that this has caused and have adjusted our customer database so that she will not receive any more statements.”
Last month, News Shopper reported that 39-year-old Swanley resident Julie Pearson has been sent another person’s bank details by Alliance and Leicester.
In October 16-year-old Wilmington resident James Hudson was sent another student’s bank details by the Learning Skills Council.
For 16 years, they’ve ignored her.
Every three months since 1992, when Mrs Pheasant moved into her home in Willow Road, Dartford, the statements - containing the confidential sort code and account number of Barclays customer Sandra Barlow - have dropped on to her doormat.
The 42-year-old has regularly contacted the bank and told them of the error, but no action was taken - until News Shopper got involved.
Mrs Pheasant said: “I have contacted Barclays so many times to tell them to stop sending Miss Barlow’s bank statements here, but they keep coming, and a less honest person could try to use the details illegally.
“With the threat of identity fraud, and the emphasis on being careful with identity and bank details, I think this is disgusting.
“When I first moved into the house I heard from neighbours that the previous occupant was an old lady who had died.
“When I kept getting letters addressed to Miss Barlow, I thought she may be the previous occupant and opened the letters to see who they were from so I could tell them to stop writing.”
Mrs Pheasant says she has been unable to contact Miss Barlow or a relative to report the situation as she does not know her address or telephone number.
After numerous phone calls, letters and emails to Barclays over 16 years had no impact, she decided to contact News Shopper to “get publicity to put pressure on Barclays to address the mistake”.
A spokesman for Barclays said: “We have apologised to Mrs Pheasant for the inconvenience that this has caused and have adjusted our customer database so that she will not receive any more statements.”
Last month, News Shopper reported that 39-year-old Swanley resident Julie Pearson has been sent another person’s bank details by Alliance and Leicester.
In October 16-year-old Wilmington resident James Hudson was sent another student’s bank details by the Learning Skills Council.