Loyalty Points Article and Checker Discussion Area

Ruffy_Tuffy_Womble_Basher · 30 April 2009 at 11:27PM

My next door neighbour, whilst having a wonderful holiday in Cuba was burgled with the intention of stealing the rather nice Subaru WRX which was hidden from the road and blocked in by a VW Polo.. The burglars, shall we call them "Little Scally Sh*ts" to make it easy (they were caught.. and done!! Yea!!) moved the Polo out of the way, causing an obstruction in the middle of a B-road, stole the Subaru and threw the Polo keys to the side of a road not 2 miles away.
The following day after the Police had interviewed me and taken a statement etc, a strange couple arrived at next door's house and after getting no response, knocked at mine. They said that they had found a set of keys and seeing the Tesco Clubcard key fob, went to the local store and asked if they could take the keys to the owner. The really helpful Tesco shop assistant duly passed address info to the strangers and they arrived at my door..?..

I took the keys and phoned the Police who quickly turned up and interviewed the couple..

Now not being an expert but considering myself 'normal savvy'.. Is it not against the Data Protection Act to give away (without express permission) personal information held on a computer database??? (especially when the data is an address for which you hold the keys??)

Anyway... I, being a curious soul, tried with my own Tesco Clubcard Keyfob and an old set of (useless) keys.. I managed to get my address without any problem.. Customer Services are so helpfull.. (pity they didn't say "have a nice day"..)

So maybe this post is a warning to Tesco Clubcard Keyfob owners...

If you lose your keys, or they are stolen, Tesco will quite happilly and willingly give your address to the holder of the keys who (in an earnest fashion) wants to return them to their rightful owner... and then gain unlawful entry (The statutory crime of entering onto someone else's property without their consent by fraud or force. Unlawful entry is broader than and should be distinguished from the common law crime of burglary which requires the breaking and entry of the dwelling of another at night and with felonious intent. ) and rob you blind!!!!

I no longer have a Tesco Clubcard Keyfob, it having mysteriously fallen into the dying embers of a BBQ.

Your thoughts...???

Ruffy