This is an open warning to all those who feel secure using a bank, thinking that their money is untouchable. A client of mine received a court order to pay €800. He forgot to make a payment after I reminded him a few times.

Four months later, he went to withdraw money for groceries and was told that his account had been blocked. The cashier offered him no further explanation. The next day he received a letter from the bank in question that he had been issued with a garnishee order and the full amount was withdrawn from his account.

Of course, this frustrated him immensely. How could the bank simply withdraw money belonging to him without authorisation? To make matters worse, he received notice from three other banks. One of the other banks also withdrew money while the others blocked his accounts. This left him without funds for almost two weeks, arguing with the banks and the court to return the extra €800 they had withdrawn and to unblock his accounts for obvious reasons.

So this is my warning to all of those in business or who harbour the notion that their bank is safe from predatory hands. My client has learnt a very good lesson from this bitter experience and he does not trust the banks anymore. Come to think of it, nor shall I.

Should a bank not seek permission first for this kind of action? Where is data protection and client confidentiality and protection they so boast about?