RBS vs Santander

crinkleshoes · 22 May 2012 at 22:44

Ok, so I've already figured out that I have clearly fallen in to a hole as I only just found out about this takeover today.

... after trying to log in to my online banking, only to discover what looked like a phishing website.

So, while I clearly need to keep more up-to-speed with current events, there's something that confuses me.

Despite them having my correct address, I have not received a single piece of information regarding this.

I don't understand how they can do this... I have not consented to any such switch & have not consented to RBS sharing my most important details with their competitor. Surely this must breach the Data Protection Act?

I'm not worried about the "state" of Santander UK, I know their financials are seperate from their Spanish partner/parent. What I have huge issue with is them sharing my information without consent!

Ahleckz · 22 May 2012 at 22:47

I bet they covered themselves in the T&C of your account.

opstrat · 22 May 2012 at 22:47

have u had a read over the account terms and conditions?

crinkleshoes · 22 May 2012 at 22:51

I clearly need to... although I'm not sure how a T&C clause can circumvent the data protection act.

... I don't even care that the switch is, in itself, happening... It won't make any real difference to me - it's them sharing the information which feels like a violation.

Richie · 22 May 2012 at 22:56

Are you saying that when you went to access your RBS Digital Banking account, it redirected you to Santander? :confused:

[TW]Fox · 22 May 2012 at 22:56

Are you sure you are even affected?

crinkleshoes · 22 May 2012 at 23:08

Richie said:
Are you saying that when you went to access your RBS Digital Banking account, it redirected you to Santander?

Not quite... it re-directs to an alternate login page with graphics that don't match like the main (original) page with brief mention of Santander.

The dodgy graphics rang alarm bells immediately.

Old banner:

New banner:

The resolution on the RBS logo doesn't even look correct... it's obviously a bodge-job... but it certainly looked like a phishing site to me at first glance! I've seen better phishing sites than this!

[TW]Fox;21980065 said:
Are you sure you are even affected?

During subsequent log-ins they've provided me with very rough details:

This message wasn't coming up earlier, just a re-direct.

I can log in on the re-directed site, but not the original site. So yes, I'm being moved...

opstrat · 22 May 2012 at 23:08

i used to be with rbs and got a letter nearly every month headed changes to your t&c's. i just ignored them. even if i read them, doubt i could understand them.

crinkleshoes · 22 May 2012 at 23:14

opstrat said:
i used to be with rbs and got a letter nearly every month headed changes to your t&c's. i just ignored them. even if i read them, doubt i could understand them.

I've been receiving those... they seem to come once every 3 months or so... that's one of the reasons I'm so surprised by this, there's been no mention of it in any of these letters.

I suppose it's possible they could have somehow incorporated this in a "T&C" change... although I doubt it & it's hardly a T&C alteration... it's a forced move to a competitor.

dowie · 22 May 2012 at 23:22

Change your account if you're that bothered rather than spouting off a load of ill informed nonsense about the DPA. Its not exactly rocket science, switching accounts is fairly simple these days.

crinkleshoes · 22 May 2012 at 23:37

Please do explain how I'm "spouting off a load of ill informed nonsense about the DPA". I genuinely want to understand how they can legally do this.

Does it not bother you that companies can share this kind of valuable information without consent?

Of course not... banks can do anything they want :rolleyes:

Considering I AM a rocket scientist (ok, astrophysicist by degree to be exact)... it's obviously more convoluted than rocket science as it makes no sense

kh85 · 22 May 2012 at 23:37

Looks dodgy as 'eck to me. Joke. but on a serious note, if you're worried. Don't log in for now! Ring them up first thing in the morning to confirm these new online changes!

[TW]Fox · 22 May 2012 at 23:39

crinkleshoes said:
Please do explain how I'm "spouting off a load of ill informed nonsense about the DPA". I genuinely want to understand how they can legally do this.

Because your account is an asset of the bank, and they've sold that asset to another bank.

crinkleshoes · 22 May 2012 at 23:41

[TW]Fox;21980349 said:
Because your account is an asset of the bank, and they've sold that asset to another bank.

Is it really that simple? :eek:

DB_SamX · 22 May 2012 at 23:42

Looks like a scam; haven't heard anything about a takeover and I opened an account with Santander just last week. Or is it a certain part/account types of Santander?

BigBoy · 22 May 2012 at 23:44

Its called an emergency buy out! RBS are in trouble again and Santander have moved in to perform a speedy purchase so as RBS do not go under, The Website has probably been botched together as Santander did with the Alliance & Leicester site just to tide it over until such times as they can put it straight.

As for lack of information do you not read/watch the news?

Emlyn_Dewar · 22 May 2012 at 23:47

My Natwest account has been doing the same recently.
I got a letter about the Santander thing a couple years back I think... :confused:

Should my Natwest online banking site NOT be doing this?

Also had about 5 billion "changes to the T&Cs" emails.

Ahleckz · 22 May 2012 at 23:55

BigBoy said:
Its called an emergency buy out! RBS are in trouble again and Santander have moved in to perform a speedy purchase so as RBS do not go under, The Website has probably been botched together as Santander did with the Alliance & Leicester site just to tide it over until such times as they can put it straight.

As for lack of information do you not read/watch the news?

No they aren't.

RBS had to offload some of their branches because of competition law.

dowie · 23 May 2012 at 00:03

crinkleshoes said:
Please do explain how I'm "spouting off a load of ill informed nonsense about the DPA". I genuinely want to understand how they can legally do this.

Does it not bother you that companies can share this kind of valuable information without consent?

Of course not... banks can do anything they want

Considering I AM a rocket scientist (ok, astrophysicist by degree to be exact)... it's obviously more convoluted than rocket science as it makes no sense

You have an account at a branch - that branch (and others in England) have been sold to another owner - the branch is still the same, your account is still the same - the entity you bank with has changed ownership.

crinkleshoes · 23 May 2012 at 00:21

dowie said:
You have an account at a branch - that branch (and others in England) have been sold to another owner - the branch is still the same, your account is still the same - the entity you bank with has changed ownership.

That does make more sense!

So it's not really an exchange of information... it's just a change of management.

Still feels a touch iffy, but I was under no pre-conception that I could do anything about it other than jump ship. It feels like my information has been sold rather than the more rational explanation above, hence the up-roar.