Bank details sent to wrong person

David Moroney • Published 4 Jul 2011 12:00 8 Comments

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LETTER MISTAKE: Anastasia Owolabi was sent other people's bank statements.

A GREENOCK woman was posted other people's personal financial details through the post by Inverclyde Council.

Anastasia Owolabi, 42, was shocked to discover bank statements and personal details for other people sent to her in the post.

She said: "The details were for myself and for two other people - one in Greenock and one in Port Glasgow.

"These are personal details like bank statements.

"The envelope which came through the post wasn't even sealed."

Anastasia said that she was shocked to find her documents sandwiched between personal information for two strangers when she opened the envelope.

She has since managed to trace the other people involved and has returned their documents.

She said: "I made sure and hand-delivered the documents in sealed envelopes."

Anastasia believes that those involved are making complaints to Inverclyde Council.

She said: "We all felt that people should know that this could happen to them.

"The information could have gone into the hands of someone who wasn't genuine.

"Anything could have happened.

"It was lucky that my information was included and I was able to contact the council and return the documents.

"It's not everyone that would have done the same."

Council chiefs are probing the incident. A spokesman said: "We take data protection very seriously and we are investigating."

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 04 Jul 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Weapon
95 posts
Jul 4, 12:11
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"We take data protection very seriously"

Not seriously enough, Mr. Spokesman!

[How much were the people worth, Anastasia? Just out of interest ;).

Before some sanctimonious finger-waver gives my comment a "thumbs down", I'm only joshing]

Recommend? Yes 14 No 3
Tiddles
1077 posts
Jul 4, 16:17
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I suppose the Council take data protection as seriously as they take looking after the funds seriously and that is, self-evidently, very badly. Bunch of imbeciles, I hope the injured parties are doing a nice, 'no win, no fee' action right now!

Recommend? Yes 7 No 3
holton
10 posts
Jul 4, 16:47
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No doubt we will be told that was a computer error.

Recommend? Yes 4 No 1
myfindhorn
278 posts
Jul 4, 20:27
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It is ok , to the council it will be a FAMILY MATTER and shall be dealt with as such and NO!!!!!! you do not have the right to find out who was incompetent nor write in for freedom of information.BECAUSE !!!! it was the fault of the machine , it picked up too many pages at one time................HELP!!! does that mean some people got empty envelopes.

I JUST LOVE OUR COUNCIL DON,T YOU

Recommend? Yes 5 No 1
echosounder
130 posts
Jul 4, 23:05
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Never mind the excuses! Save the high slary and sack the head of department!

Only then will those who carry the can be held to account!

Recommend? Yes 4 No 1
hayfever
10 posts
Jul 7, 08:00
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WHO. CARES. Also, that's a made up name. Nobody is really called Anastasia.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 1
rarlow
1 post
Jul 7, 09:55
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would it be accepted if one of the councillors had their details sent out to a stranger???? i think not...... total incompetence and someone should be reprimanded for this

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alwood
30 posts
Jul 8, 00:45
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A "Spokesperson" again! Snort...

Who are these spokespersons? the world seems to be full of them these days in the big corporate activity, not something I would trust.

Yours sincerely

A spokesperson!

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0

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