Greenwoods, Data Protection?

knowsleyroader

Yesterday my OH received a phone call from Greenwoods which was very aggressive and threatening. The operator told him he would be in Court in four weeks and in prison in eight weeks! Something to do with vouchers and money owed. Poor OH didn't have a clue and asked who she thought she was talking to. She gave him the names and full address of the unfortunates she is chasing for money. The only part of the information she had that was correct was our Christian names and door number! He asked her to immediately remove our phone number from their records which she said she would do.
Today I phoned the Electoral Register Office in our local council and asked them to check our details. They have confirmed they are correct. I also checked with the dreaded 192.com which, strangely, shows two other people (different from the ones being chased by Greenwoods) living with us between 2002-07. Had I known, I'd have charged them rent! I have emailed 192 asking them to remove our records within 28 days or I will register a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office.
I also decided to phone Greenwoods, first to complain about the dreadful attitude of the operator yesterday and also to check they had expunged our phone number from the records of the poor people they are pursuing. I gave the operator their full names and address (I even found the postcode for her on the Royal Mail website!) and, SHOCK, HORROR, they still had our phone number as their debtors contact number.
Now, what worries me is this. Suppose this poor couple are in hock to other creditors and Greenwoods have passed our details to other agencies? Secondly, how did Greenwoods obtain our telephone number in the first place? I don't know the phone number of this couple although I could find it by buying credits with 192.com. It may be similar to ours which would explain the original confusion. Just for the record, we've never used organisations such as Greenwoods and the like (thankfully, I feel for those people who've had to) and only have the usual mortgage and credit card debt which isn't problematic.
Now my question is this. Obviously, Greenwoods breached Data Protection by launching into a tirade against my OH without verifying our details first. Because of their ineptitude we are now in possession of the full details of the couple they are trying to contact. Would we be compounding their error, and further breaching Data Protection, by contacting this couple and asking them to give Greenwoods (and any other interested parties) their correct phone number? They live about 5 miles from us and, again for the record, we've had our phone number for going on 20 years.
I think (know really) that part of me wants to let them know that this organisation has given their details to a third party so they have some ammunition against them if need be.
If you've reached this far without; dying of boredom, being thoroughly confused, or falling asleep can I ask what would be the correct course of action?
Thank you

10past6

I would register a "Formal Complaint" with Greenwoods, using the letter below, make sure your complaint is marked "Formal Complaint"

Dear Sir/Madam

You have contacted me/us regarding an account which you claim is owed by myself/ourselves.

I/we would point out that I/we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name).

I am/we are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I/we would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I/we would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my/our liability for the debt in question.

I/we await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed.

Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I/we look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully



(Your Name) Print do not sign

knowsleyroader

Thank you very much for that.
Any thoughts on alerting the folk that Greenwoods are chasing?

10past6

knowsleyroader wrote: »

Any thoughts on alerting the folk that Greenwoods are chasing?

No, that's for them to deal with as and when.

Otherwise, you may well get dragged into something you later regret, i.e, what if they ask you to forward any mail, etc., etc.,

mbaz

You wouldnt be breaking the DPA if you used information that is in the public domain ie. phone book to get their number. Greenwoods have broken it by giving you all the details of the debtors when they knew they were not talking to them.

LittleVoice

Personally, I wouldn't spend any more time and effort on this matter.

If they phone again tell them they have the wrong number and that you are putting the phone down.

knowsleyroader

LittleVoice wrote: »

Personally, I wouldn't spend any more time and effort on this matter.

If they phone again tell them they have the wrong number and that you are putting the phone down.

Thank you but I'm not willing to take the risk of:-

1) My OH being awoken, after a full night shift, to deal with abuse
2) Other credit companies having access to my phone number
3) My credit rating being compromised because of someone else's debts

Although the people Greenwoods are pursuing (or trying to) may be genuine and just in straightforward debt, suppose they are fraudsters? Would you want to be associated, however slightly, with them?
I am fairly sure they are ordinary people with financial problems hence my question about letting them know that I (a total stranger) am privy to their business. Wouldn't they then have a case against this company who seem intent on taking them to Court and threatening prison?