Barclaycard apologises to widow for 317-strong letter error

by Gill Montia

Story link: Barclaycard apologises to widow for 317-strong letter error

Barclaycard has had to apologise to a Mrs Sandra Grant of Erith in Kent, after sending her 317 letters in one day.

The recently widowed 55-year-old said it took her all morning to open the post, which contained details of various Barclaycard customers, including account numbers, names and amounts owed.

One letter was addressed to Mrs Grant’s late husband despite the fact that she had already advised the credit card provider of the death and sent Barclaycard a copy of his death certificate.

News of the security breach comes a day after the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service (CIFAS) reported a steep rise in identity fraud during the first quarter of 2009.

Research from the body revealed a 40% year-on-year increase in the number of people being impersonated.

CIFAS described the trend as “an unwelcome return of identity fraud as the fraudsters’ method of choice”.