From: john 
Newsgroups: uk.legal uk.finance
Subject: Re: Lloyds Bank being very inquisitive
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2007 22:34:28 +0100
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On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:25:35 +0100, "Tim"  wrote:

>>>"john" wrote
>>>> Ah yes - that well known proof of identity the utility bill.
>>>
>> "Tim" wrote:
>>>It's not a proof of *identity*, it's a proof of *address*.
>>>How else would you get hold of such a bill with your name on it?
>>
>"john" wrote
>> The point being it doesn't have to be "your" address -
>> the existing account holder can phone the utility company
>> and they will change the names on the account with no
>> proof that the named person lives there whatsoever.
>
>So?  Why do you think the a/c holder would change
>the name on the a/c, if they didn't know them?
>
>"john" wrote
>> As far as other organisations are concerned, the named person
>> now has the necessary "proof" that they do in fact live at the
>> stated address when they need never had been near the place.
>
>Don't be so silly.  It's just proof that they are
>*linked* to that address, not that they *live* there.
>
>They don't ask for the address you *live* at;
>they ask for a *contact* address!


Not so - it is part of "proving"  who you are - nothing to do with
contacting you.

Abbey National:
Proving who you are is easy
This is what we'll ask for:
    * Your name
    * Your address......