Steve Lewis reports:

Angry customers are urging the Federal Government to stop the big banks from sending their personal details to offshore processing centres. A national poll has found 83 per cent want the banks to seek written permission from their customers before sending confidential data to overseas.

At least two of the major four banks – and several smaller finance houses – are using overseas centres to process customer information, including for credit cards and home mortgages.

And there are fears the practice will become more widespread as the banking sector sheds local jobs and cuts its operating costs.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon wants the Government to embrace changes to consumer protection legislation – currently before parliament.

The amendments would force banks to ob tain written permission from customers before sending addresses, passport numbers and other key information to offshore centres.

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