Questions over payments system

I thought that I was reasonably intelligen, and blessed with some common sense. That is until an impromptu visit to Riverside House to make payment towards an account went bizarrely wrong.

It was an impromptu visit therefore I did not have the document with my account number with me. By the wonders of modern technology, the cashier found my account extremely quickly and I paid over my money. This is when things went wrong, which led to a chain of events that have left me with a feeling of unease.

The cashier took my money then proceeded to tell me that she would show me the receipt but was unable to issue it to me as I did not have the account document, it would be sent by post to the address on the account.

Now, this is when I question my intelligence. Is it unreasonable to want a receipt at the point of transaction when paying a bill?

Is it not common sense to obtain a receipt for services at the point of 'sale'? I have spent MANY years working within the rules of the Data Protection Act and under the rules of the FSA, NEVER have I ever been in trouble for issuing a receipt for payments made to anyone's account. Authorised user or not!

Any payment IN to an account can be made. It's a different kettle of fish to discuss the account, and a major issue if someone attempts to remove funds from an account not of their own (or authorised to do so)

 I, of course, retrieved my money and asked for an explanation regarding withholding a receipt.

The answer from the supervisor was FAR from satisfactory! Apparently, not only would the receipt have the amount paid, it would have the account number it is linked to, printed on it. Which by my logical thinking is, well, pretty good.It means the money has gone to the right place. But apparently, according to the supervisor, anyone could use that account number and then obtain various personal information regarding the account holder from other council departments.

I was staggered with disbelief! I invited the supervisor to give examples, but she quickly changed to utility companies! Is it me or does this no receipt 'rule' make absolutely NO sense?

I pay. I cannot have it confirmed that the money has gone to the right account. I have to keep my fingers crossed that I will receive a receipt through the post. I have NO legal standing should the cash transaction come into question (i.e. human error, payment made to someone else’s account) as I do not have a receipt. And if someone should find a stray receipt with my account number on it, the council appear to be hoodwinked into giving all my details to whoever calls them over the phone?

It may seem like a petty issue, but one that potentially has far reaching repercussions. May I suggest to the council that your concerns regarding data protection extend further than the cashier's desk. As if what I was told is to be believed, there are some SERIOUS issues in-house!

Ms R Rotherham