I want an apology from Lloyds Bank

Can you get a written apology from Lloyds Bank for alleging that I was registered in Romania for tax purposes? I am not, but the bank keeps on asking for proof of my country of registration for tax.

It said if I did not comply within a month of the letter’s date, which was 11 days before I received it, I would be reported to the appropriate tax authorities.

As a UK citizen, resident and taxpayer who does an online tax return every year, I was shocked at these allegations and baffled as to what information had led the bank to this conclusion.

On telephoning the bank’s head office, I was informed that a bank official had inputted Romania’s official international telephone dialling code of 0040 in front of my telephone number instead of 0044 for Britain.

I never quote international dialling codes when giving my telephone number. I cannot see how this could have happened. SO, EAST YORKS

You were advised to go to your local branch to have the record changed. You recall that the official was offhand and suggested that the letter must be a scam and that you should ignore it. She did though amend the data.

You then wrote to Lloyds Bank that you would not be completing any forms or providing documentary evidence of your country of registration for tax as you had no case to answer. The complaints manager emailed and telephoned to say that things would become much more complicated if you did not comply. Although you had not asked for monetary compensation, £100 was paid. You completed the forms and sent them along with a certified copy of your passport. Then you received another similar request to complete forms and provide documentary evidence.

Thoroughly miffed by now, you nevertheless

completed the forms but did not provide documentary evidence, which the bank already had. You explained this in a covering letter.

After all this you received a letter stating the bank was not required to pass your information to the appropriate tax authorities.

You wrote asking for a written apology. Instead you received yet another request to complete forms and provide documentary evidence. You phoned and were promised a call back, but none came. You rang again and were told an official had failed to look at the previous correspondence or even read your most recent letter.

You were advised to ignore all further requests for information.