Sterling Bank has issued a response to the lawyers representing Olalekan Adejumo (not real name), a Lagos State resident, who recently received a strange email from the financial institution, notifying him that an account had been opened in his name.
In its response letter dated August 6, the financial institution blamed the incident on an email error committed by one of its customers who shares the same first and last names as Adejumo.
“Following an investigation into the complaints outlined in your letter, we wish you to inform you that another customer, who shares your client’s first and last name, inadvertently provided your client’s (Adejumo’s) email address,” Sterling Bank’s letter stated.
READ MORE: Sterling Bank Opens Account for Lagos Resident Without His Knowledge or Permission
The financial institution further claimed it had permanently removed the email address from its records, promising no further emails would be sent to Adejumo concerning the strange bank account.
On July 18, FIJ published a story showing how Adejumo received an email from Sterling Bank notifying him that a strange account had been opened in his name.
The strange account was opened on July 9.
Before receiving the notification, the Lagos resident had never visited any of the bank’s branches to make an account opening request.
He had never been a Sterling Bank account holder.
Adejumo also received no fewer than eight email verification alerts, despite never having initiated or authorised any business with Sterling Bank. The notifications were sent to his email address.
READ MORE: Lawyers Demand Investigation After Sterling Bank Opened Account for Client Without His Knowledge
A strange transaction was also carried out by one LEGBETI ANUOLUWAPO VALERIE on the account on the same day.
LEGBETI made a deposit of N5,000 into the account and withdrew it immediately.
Despite Adejumo’s protestations and public outcry, the financial institution remained silent on the matter for three weeks.
The post After Media, Legal Pressure, Sterling Bank Blames Strange Account Opening on Email Error appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.