Data Protection Act

[Deleted member 478]

I called British Gas & London Electrickery this morning to inform them that I have sold a tenanted property and that in their own interests, they should chase the scumbag tenants NOW for any outstanding bills. I told them I had given the tenants notice in terms of the housing act and that they would be moving out soon and probably heading back to South Africa. "No, no Sir, in term of the DPA, we cannot access that account because you are not the account holder" is what I am told.

In the past they have phoned me trying to track done dodgy ex-tenants. I've co-operated since they claim that if I don't co-operate, I am responsible for any debt since I am the owner of the property.

In future, I will say "No no Sir/Madam. In terms of the DPA, I cannot divulge any information about my ex-tenants and don't expect me to be your policeman".

Rant over.

 

[Cornishman]

I understand your rant, but what has it to do with boaty? Should it not be in the ranters forum - i.e. The Lounge?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Its also complete rubbish on their part..... the DPA does not prevent them from using information for genuine business purpose... it just stops them from giving you information about someone else.... so they could have taken the proferred info, said "thanks very much", and acted upon it.

 

[Blueboatman]

Been there myself ,just make sure that you have done your best as a conscientious landlord ,ie you HAVE informed the utilities of the imminent vacating of the premises..You might even like to furnish them with mobile phone nos and copies of the passports for the ''miscreants'',and suggest when is an excellent time to go around and read the meters ,like 8am tomorrow ! Then your liability is over ,go sailing and have fun,Job done!

 

[Steve Clayton]

Vodfone also take the same stance.

SWMBO had a Vodafone; I set the account up and the invoices were settled from my bank account.

When I have a query re fraudulent use of her number I get:

Dear Mr Clayton

Re Mobile Telephone Account/BAN Number nnnnnnnn.

Thank you for your mail dated dd/mm/yy regarding the above account.

Due to security and the constraints of Data Protection we are unable to discuss the matter with you as you have no authority against this account. We can only discuss the matter with the registered owner on confirmation of account details. Please ask the registered owner to contact the Account Management Team on + 44 (0044) 7836191919. They will also be able to give authorisation for you to act on their behalf in the future.

I trust you will find this information useful. If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards,

Carol
Pin number - 21213
Customer Management
Vodafone Customer Services
Vodafone Limited

How did I get their attention? - stopped the Direct Debit; and then created confusion in their camp by asking why were they subsequently contacting me re an account that they said I had no authority over.

 

[fireball]

Excellent ... I used similar method to stop my Orange bill - they wouldn't close the account when I migrated to Vodafone so I stopped the DD .. threatened to cut me off they did ... about bl00dy time I said!!

Re DPA, I'm probably wrong, but everytime someone says "Can't discuss this with you sir, Data Protection Act" I tell them they are totally wrong, because I'm not asking them for information, I am telling them fact and therefore they are not in breach of the DPA ..

 

[jhr]

The DPA is being used as a nice, convenient catch-all for all manner of buck passing and refusal to disclose information. You may remember that information about Colin Huntley - the man who murdered two young girls from Soaham - had been taken off a police database "because of the DPA". Ludicrous though this may seem, there was a lot of equally mad and, imho, OTT advice from the Data Protection Registrar in the early days of the Act. For example: at one point they were advising employers that keeping data about employees' attendance records was probably in breach of the Act, and they should stop it immediately.

Much though I love the UK, the mulish, jobsworth attitude of some of my fellow countrymen, and their tendency to "gold plate" EU legislation, regularly drives me to despair.

Heigh ho!

 

[Steve Clayton]

One of the worst personal intrusions in terms of personal data is committed by Local Councils. The electoral role, believe it or not, is a matter of public record. Ever wondered when you might be applying for a loan, car insurance, or similar, how quickly these companies can check you out? They've all bought the electoral role (or have access to the role database). Next time you get an electoral role form read the small print as to what they can do/intend to do with your data. If it's not there then contact the role officer and ask him/her.

The spirit of what the Data Protection Act provides is well meant but a lot of companies use it as a blocker when they have no right to do so. Collection of personal data can only be used for the purpose for which it is intended. It can however be made available to other agencies, such as the police, for detection of fraud.

 

[Stemar]

It's possible to limit the use your data on the Electoral Role can be put to - you can exclude yourself from sales to marketing companies, for example.

I don't know if that would include credit agencies, though I think they get most of their data from banks, & credit card companies who simply make your consent that use of your data a condition of issue. No consent - no account.

 

[pappaecho]

Watch me> I can stop anything either with the Data Protection Act or failing that the Health and Safety at Work Act!

 

[Rowana]

Up here in Scotland, but not sure in the rest of UK, you can exclude yourself from the part of the electoral roll that is purchased by commercial concerns.

I guard my privacy as much as I can. Phone is Ex-directory, we are registered with both telephone & mail preference service and ANYTHING that arrives through the post with my name & address on it is shredded.

The bu**ers probably still get me though !