Forged signature gets bond back

[donna]

Has this happened to anyone here?

Man does a runner after forging LLs signature to get bond back.

Is it really that easy?

[Kaye]

Donna sadly Yes it really is that easy seems Bond Centre just doesn't check signatures...

[hawkeye]

Surely bond centre should cop loss then as they paid it out. Ridiculous.

[donna]

It must have happened before. Surely there’s a legal penalty for it. The bond centre should have to pay the Landlord. Why would they contact the LL and check the bond can be released? It’s called 2 factor authentication.

cheers

Donna

[Kaye]

Given they release hundreds if not thousands of Bonds/week it wouldn't be feasible to call every LL

[donna]

Here’s how it can work- LL registers bond and gives their mobile number and then sets up authentication- like Google Authenticator - to get the bond released the bond centre system asks for the 6 digits- just like a bank app or other apps like Xero for example. It’s really simple to set up and manage and provides security.

NZ is falling behind in basic online security. It’s not alright to accept this basic failure in professionalism and management of money. Bonds have to be lodged with the bond centre so Govt has a responsibility to ensure the system is secure and provides the basics in multifactor authentication.

cheers

Donna

[Perry]

I doubt they're at all worried. Too much work involved.

Remember that the socio-commie gummint has no fiduciary ethics. It keeps unclaimed tenant bonds for itself. Last figure I heard was $13M. When long-ago failed housing munster was questioned, Dhil Twitford said there were no plans to change the arrangement.

Be a great job for the tenancy compliance and investigation team, instead of harassing landladies.

[Keys]

It must have happened before. Surely there’s a legal penalty for it. The bond centre should have to pay the Landlord. Why would they contact the LL and check the bond can be released? It’s called 2 factor authentication.

cheers

Donna

I have had many discussions regarding signatures. I insist upon using a stamp. Hard to forge that.

Anyway. As per usual ................ The OIA request goes in ............


I refer to the attached Tribunal order and ask the following:

Pursuant to the Official Information Act 1986

How many times do you have on record where the bond centre has released bond to a party where the other parties signature has been forged?

[donna]

^^ This is the action that we need - well done Keys.

The answer will be telling - they may choose not to answer?

Such a good story for a good journalist - do we know any keen to get stuck in?

The ones I need to know their fee will be paid - not create a story and then sell it to the highest bidder.

cheers

Donna

[Kaye]

I've got Paddy Gow's Ph # if that's any use?

[donna]

^^ Let's see what the OIA comes back with.

Hard to believe tenancy services can dodge liability for the $$ released to the tenant. This is a big deal as it could happen to any LL.

There is no excuse - all refund applications should be completed and managed online (digitally) and with basic security measures in place.

cheers,

Donna