Purvis, MS asked in Banking for Mississippi

Q: I have a joint checking account with my mother. The bank gave a printout to my brother of our account. His name is not

on the account. He doesn't have access to the account. I did not give consent for him to obtain this information. Was this illegal?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
Answered
  • Business Law Lawyer
  • Tallahassee, FL

A: Technically, yes. Banks are not supposed to release information to any client about another client without permission. However, having been a commercial bank officer in a different lifetime, I also know that this happens frequently when the bank employees know or have known that the person asking for info is actually related to the other person whose account information is requested. So, if your brother asked the bank for info about his mother's account, I am not surprised to hear they gave it to him. Finally, I strongly advise BOTH of you to not let this family dispute over who controls you mother reach the boiling point. Your mom deserves better than that.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.