Bailiff company breaking data protection?

starlite_2

I have just returned from the shops to find a letter from 'drakes bailiffs' sellotaped to our front door and two copies of the same letter posted through the letter box without envelopes.
We share our hallway with neighbours and it is in the name of the couple who live downstairs from us.
It is very threatening looking and says 'final notice' , what is shocking is alongside their full names it has the full amount owed and who it is owed to clearly written on it.
I have had personal dealings with bailiffs before and am certain that this is against the law/ at least against regulation!?
Anyone walking past our door which opens on to the pavement of a busy road could see it. I have removed it and posted it under their door so other neighbours don't see it. I imagine they will be very embarrased about this.
Am i right in thinking this is illegal practice by this company?
Is so, would it be rude of me to offer advice to them, or would this cause them further embarrasment?

charlie007

maybe you could put a note through to explain what has happened and tell them you may be able to help in the note that way they can come to you if the want to.

I am not sure but surely that is against the law, someone could take all their details like you say.

starlite_2

well i have found a website that says any correspondance must be in a sealed envelope, marked private and confidential.
it is against regulation to mark it ' the occupier' also.
so what they have done seemsto blatantly be against procedure.
leaving a note is a good idea.thanks.

AGB863

I have just taken this from the Office of Fair Trading's web site concerning debt collection guidance

Physical/psychological harassment

2.6 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

i. disclosing or threatening to disclose debt details to third parties unless legally entitled to do so

j. acting in a way likely to be publicly embarrassing to the debtor either deliberately or through lack of care, e.g. by not putting correspondence in a sealed envelope and putting it through a letterbox, thereby running the risk that it could be read by third parties.

The whole article can be found here
Debt Collection Guidance

starlite_2

perhaps i'll print out that article for them.
though is it wrong to involve myself like this?
i'm just so angry for them.

amosworks

I think you're a nice neighbour :T:T:T

Slayerx

Also mention in the note MSE