Home » Answers Hub » Bank details and the law
No, and be wary of anyone who says otherwise. Bank account information is protected data, and obtaining it by deception, the practice known as blagging, is a criminal offence under section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018. The lawful routes to a debtor’s bank funds run through the court: a third party debt order, or an order requiring the debtor to disclose their finances.
Operators offering bank balances, statements or account numbers for a fee are describing unlawfully obtained data. Using it exposes the instructing creditor and solicitor to criminal risk, regulatory consequences and the collapse of any enforcement built on it, since evidence obtained this way invites exclusion and costs. The Information Commissioner has prosecuted precisely this conduct across the investigation industry, and reputable firms will not touch it.
Enforcement law already provides the pressure points. An order to attend court for questioning under CPR Part 71 compels the judgment debtor to disclose their accounts and assets on oath, with contempt consequences for lying, and the order is served personally by a process server. Where a specific bank relationship is known or reasonably inferred, a third party debt order freezes and captures funds at the bank directly. Lawful asset intelligence, property, vehicles, business interests, income indicators, tells you which lever to pull.
Tremark’s tracing and financial enquiry reports state their sources and lawful basis, are prepared to be exhibited in court, and are the reason instructing solicitors can rely on them without hesitation. If a purported result could only exist through deception, we do not supply it, and that is a feature; see is tracing legal under UK GDPR for the framework.
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This page provides general information about the law and practice in England and Wales and is not legal advice. Rules change and individual circumstances vary; always take advice from a solicitor on your specific situation. Prices shown are indicative, exclusive of VAT and confirmed in writing before any work begins.