Should bank names be on envelopes anymore?
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
May 21, 2011 4:33am CST
This morning a window-envelope plopped onto my mat. When I picked it up there, written in bold, was not only the name of my bank emblazoned on the outside but you could clearly see through the window that it was a statement. Now, especially in these days of identity-theft, is it right the banks should be able to advertise themselves, because that is all they are doing, on the front of our mail? Surely private information should be sent in 'a plain brown wrapper' and not advertised to the whole world!
5 responses
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
21 May 11
I have to say here at least with the bank I'm with don't have their logo or name on the envelope. The only ones who will really handle your mail is post office workers so you should be safe as it is an offence to temper with anyone's mail. As 3honor has said you could always opt to go paperless and get your bank statements online but I prefer to have them mailed to me.
I checked your website and I just wanted to say that your miniature art is just amazing! I love it. You are one very talented lady
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
•
22 May 11
Oh, thank you very much, thezone! It's a pity the the financial climate is so poor here in the UK that nobody is interested in Art anymore! I haven't sold any miniatures for over a year, only a couple of portraits. I now do more writing than painting because the materials are cheaper!
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
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23 May 11
Yes, please feel free to do that, thezone. Every little helps! Thank you! :)
@sinawaliboy (271)
• Philippines
22 May 11
There would always be the case of identity theft but you cannot discount the fact that documents, especially bank statements, must reach the actual recipient. I would suggest that everything should be online to avoid such problems. Written documents should be obtained directly from the bank instead to avoid such problems.
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
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23 May 11
That is probably the way it will be in the future. I do think, though, that we will resist having to do it this way until the very last second. Change is difficult for some to accept.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
21 May 11
A letter from a bank should be in a plain looking envelope. It might be white or it could be brown. It should never say the name of the bank. A bank statement has an account number on it which is confidential. A cheque book should look like something ordinary and not what is really is. The only thing easy to look at should be a postcard. Bank communication is not to be read by anyone except the account holder.
@watergirl (567)
• Philippines
22 May 11
I think this is true for some banks but not all. Some banks still send statements in plain brown envelopes with just a PO box as return address. Other banks still have messengers handing out statements requiring the account holder or family member to sign a receipt. Other banks also have options of having statements emailed or checked online. I guess what you can do is to talk to your bank about your concern. As consumers, we should have the option of how we get our statements.
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
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22 May 11
That's a very good point, watergirl. We do have a voice, and should use it if we have any concerns about anything. We, here in the UK, are not very keen on complaining about anything. We like a quiet life and don't want to rock the boat too much. Maybe we should a bit more, otherwise nothing will change!
