RBS data protection allegations to be probed

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is looking into the matter following claims made by RBS customer and small business director Andy Keats.

According to The Times, Mr Keats exercised his right to access records held by the bank in relation to him. When he received the records, he noticed what he said were significant discrepancies compared to his own personal records, including sentences and paragraphs missing from his emails.

Mr Keats, who is in a dispute with the bank over repossession proceedings on his home, claims the records were “falsified to suit RBS”.

He has reportedly met with Karina McTeague, director of retail banking supervision at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), to discuss the allegations further.

RBS refused to issue a comment on the claims, but told the newspaper that it “takes its obligations under the Data Protection Act very seriously at all times”.

A spokesperson for the Edinburgh-based bank added that it works closely with the ICO “both in preparation of customers’ and in responding to complaints made”.