Holiday Auto - Personal details taken, and stalked on Facebook

Sherilley

I am completely appalled and upset that after booking a Hire Car with Holiday Auto's today for my trip to Australia next month, that the individual that I booked the car - within 10 minutes had located me on Facebook and started sending messages to me. It was only by sheer chance that I took the individuals name during the booking process that it suddenly twigged who he was. When challenged, he finally admitted that he worked for Holiday Autos and begged me not to be angry. I am a single female and from this has lead me to be concerned about what other personal information this individual has taken - Address, Mobile Number, Credit Card details. I am completely disgusted with Holiday Autos.

richardw

Report them and change your privacy settings on Facebook.

Sherilley

Yeah, I have spoken to Holiday Autos and emailed them. But really, its disgusting that the individual had the cheek to do this. Privacy settings have been changed on Facebook!

Empty_pockets

Take it as a compliment!

But seriously, yes, completely out of order.

StuieUK34

Guess he wont be getting a date then !!!! (i know its wrong mind!!)

Sherilley

He is based in Delhi, and with the content of his emails he's lucky not to get a slap round the face, let alone a date.

Donnie

You'd travel to India to slap him around the face??

It is at least a bit creepy. :shocked: But if there was any suggestive comment he should lose his job.

spiro

This is a clear breach of the DPA. Write a letter of complaint addressed to the 'Data Controller' at Holiday Autos in Woking detailing exactly what has happened. State that unless you recieve a satisfactory reply with X working days as to what action has been taken regarding the member of staff concerned and their Information Security Policies you will be reporting the matter to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

The ICO will take such a breach very seriously.

aerostar

Regardless, you should still report it to the ICO, you will be doing everyone a service.

Sherilley

Thanks guys for your advice. I made a complaint to Holiday Autos, and it was escalated immediately to Senior Management at Lastminute.com (owning company of Holiday Autos). It was dealt with very professionally and within a few hours the individual had been dealt with and dismissed. They have even provided me with compensation.

Despite the incredibly poor actions of the individual, Lastminute.com were extremely helpful and very apologetic.

inmypocketnottheirs

Atleast HA and LM have acted admirably in this scenario. Unfortunately I do not know what powers the DPA would have in a situation like this when back office support is offshore.

The worrying thing here is we do not know how many others have suffered the same and what consequences there has been.