§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why those wishing to open a Post Office card account cannot complete the process entirely by post. [HL1305]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)Customers who opt for a Post Office card account are issued with a letter, the personal invitation document (PID), from the appropriate government department, inviting them to apply for a card account. Post Office Limited is required to ensure that only genuine benefit, pension and tax credit recipients open a card account. To ensure this, customers must present the PID in their local Post Office branch where they will be handed a Post Office card account application form, which they are required to complete. The Post Office will use a PID as one form of identification for opening a card account. The majority of customers applying for a card account are already collecting their pension or benefit from the Post Office.