RBS / Natwest SAR delaying tactics

[dazza12]

I recently submitted an SAR to RBS,

sent on the 7th Feb and received on the 8th Feb this year.

This was for any and all information in whatever form (as advised by dx on a number of posts).

 

About a week ago, I got a letter from their Mortgage department advising I'd never had a Mortgage. So far all correct.

 

Today however I received two letters.

 

One advising that the Lombard Request I put in should be directed to Santander,

so I'll add that one to the Burton/Tandy/Debenhams pile for my next battle. However, another paragraph in this letter contained the following:

 

'As you have asked us to provide you with all Payment Protection Insurance information,

we have also passed on your request to our Credit Card departments and NatWest Bank to enable them to check whether you had PPI on those products.

The outcome of those investigations will be sent to you separately.'

 

Not once I had mentioned that I wanted PPI information.

 

I've written back to them advising that the information would be welcome,

 

but in order to comply with the SAR that they would need to send me any and all information in whatever format,

reminding them of the date that the SAR would expire.

 

What's more concerning is the letter I got from RBS cards.

 

This advised that they are unable to identify me.

 

Bearing in mind that I'm still a customer of the RBS group (Natwest, but not RBS cards) they would not normally have any difficulty identifying me. All of my Natwest account numbers were contained on the original SAR request which they included with their letter,

the same SAR request that contained copies of my passport and driving license along with all of my previous addresses.

 

They also advised that they were returning my cheque.

 

I'd suggest they check this as I only received a photocopy.

 

I've faxed them back this evening advising them that the clock is still ticking.

 

I've also sent a letter containing my Water bill which will be winging it's way to them first thing tomorrow.

 

Another of my concerns is that RBS have pretty much admitted that they're not going to comply

as they've stated that they may not be able to trace my account as it may have been closed for a longer period than their records are retained.

 

The RBS card was from (about) 1995 to 2001,

Natwest loans in 1991, 1998 and 2004 and a Natwest account from 1988 until today

- I understand that RBS have been known to retain information in an 'archive' format from 1992 to 2001

- can anyone comment if they've been successful in getting such information from them?

 

They've asked me to resubmit the letter and cheque to them when sending the identity documents. Am I correct in thinking that if these are 'resubmitted' this resets the clock? Should I be even enclosing a copy of the original letter? I'd like to remind them that the SAR expires on the 20th March, so they're only wasting their time, not mine.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The claim that the bank may not still have some data du to age is ok I think, they are obliged to keep records for 6 years after an account is closed only.

[Let Them Knock]

I have just been through the same scenario with RBS/NatWest. SAR on 3rd October and still getting bits and pieces up to a week ago. I got info on NatWest loans back to 1993 but NatWest credit card only sent 6 years worth. Got bank statements back to 1998.

 

They gave me the run-around too, returning the cheque, sending only PPI stuff, etc. It is down to inefficiency and/or awkwardness.