A FINANCE company has admitted sending confidential information about customers, including their bank account numbers, to a stranger.
Fiat Financial Services had sent a credit agreement to motorist Darren Wright after he bought a car. But they also posted the private details of five other customers who had applied for a loan. All six were in the same package sent to Darren’s home in Spennymoor, County Durham. The information included the customers’ names and addresses. Also included were details of how much they borrowed and how much interest had to be paid. Their bank address, sort code, and account number were also divulged. In some cases, photocopied driving licences provided details of motoring convictions.
Now courier Darren, 27, has demanded to know how the security breach happened. “I received mine and five other people’s finance agreements with all their personal details. Somebody is quite incompetent at doing their jobs. It’s not right, it should not have happened."
Darren bought his car from Stoneacre Durham, of Brandon, Durham. The dealership’s general sales manager Stuart Quinn said: “The information was sent by the finance company. It was an error.I was surprised when Darren told me about it. I can see the security issue. I don’t know what else to say.”
Someone who does know what to say is Suzanne Howard, of Stanley, County Durham. Suzanne’s details were included in the finance agreements sent to Darren. She said: “It’s quite disturbing. There is a lot of information on these forms. Of course I’m not happy. These are very personal details that could have got into the wrong hands. I am interested in what the finance company has to say, why it happened, and what is being done to make sure it does not happen again.”
Fiat Financial Services promised a full investigation. A spokesman said: “I have spoken to our finance people and they appreciate something did not go as it should. They are aware of Darren Wright and will be in touch with him to apologise and explain what happened. We may also contact the other customers whose details were sent to him. It has nothing to do with the local dealer. The documents came from Fiat Financial Services. Clearly, this should not have happened and we will investigate.”
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