Well I had a call from Natwest today to say that the statements have arrived (I rang yesterday and left a message querying whether they were there or not). My dad is going to go in tomorrow to collect them (with a letter of authority from myself, and ID), then I'll work through them and check that I have them all and add up all my charges. Fingers crossed, things finally seem to be heading in the right direction.

Have just phoned them - they couldn’t find any details of my account anywhere!!! Considering they're meant to keep the details for three years (therefore taking me up to October this year) I kept bugging her to at least refer it to a manager or someone who could investigate why they lost the information, so she kept looking (I get the feeling they would have left it if I hadn’t pushed). She checked the archives and found some information regarding my account, so believed she should be able to get the statements, and have them sent to my local branch. She was going to see what she can find, and why the account was 'lost' She got back to me pretty quickly, I didn't even tell her that I would report her to the IC if I didn't get the information. Just asked for her help. She's managed to request all of the statements, and they will be at my local branch for collection within a week. She's given me their number to call to check, and said that if there are any gaps, or I haven't got all the information I need just to give her a call! I believe I need to go into the branch as I have to take ID, due to my address being completely different from when I opened and shut my account. I'll keep you all updated. By the way - Bookworm... did you get that letter?? I had an email returned but I didn't recognise the email address. PM me if you haven't had it.

Okay... the seven days have been and gone... Still no reply what so ever (and I have the 'Fax Receipt' and an email 'Read Receipt' to prove that they got the letter on Monday. What should I do now??

Okay... Thanks so much for your help. Will email/fax a letter just about the data protection act.

I'll send you a copy of the letter they sent me this evening. This is my draft: LETTER BEFORE ACTION Section 7 – Data Protection Act 1998 Dear Sir/Madam ACCOUNT NUMBER: [my account number] SORT CODE: [my sort code] ACCOUNT NAME: [my name] Further to a letter requesting a search for my bank information dated 13th April 2006, please see attached letter. I must admit, I find this information confusing. Firstly my sort code and account number are given at the top of the page, and then it is stated that “Having looked into the matter I can confirm that, after careful and exhaustive seach has been made, there is no trace of any account remaining in the name of [my name]. Secondly, it goes on to say that “NatWest has a policy of only keeping old vouchers for five years, old statements for eight years and details of closed accounts for three years. I am unable, therefore, to provide any further details of the closed account.” However this account was close in October 2003 – less then three years ago, therefore you will still have the records. You have also failed to comply with my Data Protection Act Subject Access Request dated 13th March 2006. If you do not comply within the next 7 days I shall seek a Court order obliging you to do so together with damages at the discretion of the Court and without any further notice. Yours faithfully What do you think? Should I make any amendments? Or just send the basic "if you do not comply.....further notice"?

lol - Just this minute saw that... So which letter do you suggest I send (from the Non Compliance Templates) two or three? Also, I was thinking of emailing and faxing the letter, using the details in the first post of Natwest contact details. What do you think?

Sorry. Basically I sent a DPA letter on the 13th March. After nearly 30 days of waiting I thought I would call and let them know that they only had another 10 days to comply - someone said it might be possible that they can't find an account, so I requested a form that you fill out and they look for closed and dormant accounts, so I could find out what my sort code and account number was. Received the above letter back in reply to the form requesting the details of my closed account. However still haven't received any reply to the DPA letter, even to say that they need more time/are having some difficulty finding my account.

I finally received a reply from Natwest on Friday - doens't look hopeful in any way though. Account in the name of [my name] [acccount number] [sort code] Your enquiry of 13 April 2006 concerning the account in the name of [my name] has been referred to me. Having looked into the matter I can confirm that, after careful and exhaustive seach has been made, there is no trace of any account remaining in the name of [my name]. Had the account become dormant and remained so for a period of five years, under our audit procedure the brance would first have endeavoured to make contact with you seeking instructions. If this proved unsuccessful, then the account would have been transferred to our Head Office where a permanent recored is maintained. However a careful examination of these records has not revealed any monies outstanding. Having considered all circumstances, I conclude that the account has been closed and the balance withdrawn. I regret that I cannot give you the precise data because we do not retain all our records indefinately. NatWest has a policy of only keeping old vouchers for five years, old statements for eight years and details of closed accounts for three years. I am unable, therefore, to provide any further details of the closed account. However, I can assure you that there is no question of us evading out obligations. Every care is taken to safeguard a depositors position and this is demonstrated by the stringent precautions and procedures which I have described. I am sorry to disappoint you and trust you will accept my explanation. First of all, I'm confused... she says 'there is no trace of any account remaining in the name of [my name]'. Yet has even me details at the top of the page of my account. Also, This is in response to a form I had to fill out in order to get the account number and sort code of my bank account (which I closed in October 2003). Not my letter of 13th March - being the Data Protection Act disclosure request. So technically if they do keep details of closed accounts for three years, they should still hold that information until October of this year? Any advice on how I should proceed?