You probably think that your bank keeps quiet about your financial affairs. Think again. It may be selling you down the river, in order to earn some extra money.
Many banks sell your confidential account information to telemarketing firms.
When the tele marketers call you, what might they know? Well, plenty!
Besides your name, age, address and phone number, the bank might have disclosed your bank account number, current checking account balance, credit limit, credit score (showing how creditworthy you are), the number and type of credit cards you carry and what you owe on your credit card accounts.
Tele marketers then call you, offering discount travel clubs and other products. If you give your consent to the product being sold by them.
Monthly payments are deducted automatically from your bank account or charged to your credit card. The bank earns commissions on the sales.
What's more, no law in India protects what's called 'transaction and experience' information -- namely, the details of your bank and credit card accounts.
They can be disclosed to telemarketers at will. Also banks may disclose your confidential account information to affiliate telemarketers selling financial products-for example, insurance and securities.
The bankers point out that customers want one-stop shopping. To accomplish that, the bank has to provide information to its affiliates to simplify credit decisions and provide discounts to loyal customers.
In the United States and the United Kingdom banks are required to send notices explaining their privacy policies every year, and many pick the beginning of the year to mail them.
The notices include a toll-free number or an address where you can contact them to 'opt out' of the sharing of certain types of information. In India we do not have any such regulations to guard the privacy of accountholders.
What you should do: The question is do you really want your bank to share your bank account details? Or tell retailers about your shopping habits. Your bank can glean all this intelligence by studying your application form and watching the activity in your account.
In the whole scheme of things, there's not much you can force your bank to do -- but you do have some control. If you want your bank to quit talking about you behind your back, you have to tell them.
You should call your bank and get the name of the person in charge of customer relations. Write a letter, saying that you want that your credit information should not be disclosed. Also say that you don't want your bank and credit card account data disclosed to anyone selling financial or non-financial products, including the bank's own affiliates.
Some banks might agree, although they don't have to. Ask the bank to acknowledge your letter.
Write to the chairman of the bank, saying that you are shocked to learn that your bank and credit card account information can be disclosed. The more top officials hear this, the better.
Ask specifically whether the bank shares your account information with affiliated or nonaffiliated companies. It is your right and you should exercise it!
