UK banks investigated over careless exposure of customer data

RBS Group and its subsidiary NatWest are being investigated for allegedly disposing of customers' financial details in bin outside branches.

An investigation was launched by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after customers’ financial details were allegedly found in general waste bags in bins outside the banks near two Hampshire branches.

The investigation follows complaints from consumer group Scamsdirect, which claims to have found cut-up credit and debit cards and money deposit details, along with bank account information deposited in bins near the branches in Fareham and Southampton.

Both banks have acknowledged that they have been contacted by the (ICO).

According to figures reported by The Scotsman and the BBC, identity theft, where personal information is used by criminals to purchase goods without consent, is estimated to cost the UK economy GBP1.7 billion and its affects around 100,000 people each year.