DATA protection Grrrrrrrrrrrh!

JimmyTheWig

gatita wrote: »

By the replies I see that most of you have succumbed to the brain washing brigade and REALLY believe it is for your/my protection. If that IS the case, how come in other European companies they do NOT put you through an interrogation?

I don't know what happens elsewhere.

I find the rule that they can only talk to the account holder annoying. Often it is more convenient if I talk to someone about my wife's account rather than my wife talking to them.

I find sometimes the questions they ask are sometimes difficult to answer (e.g. what is your overdraft limit; what date does a certain DD go out) and it is very annoying if you fail and have to go into a branch with ID to get it reset.


I don't think they do it for my protection. I think they do it for their protection. They are the ones who would get into trouble if they gave out my information without my permission.


I really don't see that they do it in order to get information from us. Other than mother's maiden name which they wouldn't need to know otherwise, what information do you think they get from this exercise?

Tiddlywinks

gatita wrote: »

By the replies I see that most of you have succumbed to the brain washing brigade and REALLY believe it is for your/my protection. If that IS the case, how come in other European companies they do NOT put you through an interrogation?
Apart from that, I thought (obviously wrongly) that the forum was for just that, to have a RANT

Or... maybe we're just less paranoid?

Azari

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Or... maybe we're just less paranoid?

Or ... more gullible?


In reality it needs to be considered on a case by case basis.

Some years ago I got a phone call from someone who wanted to 'verify my details so that she could talk to me'. Naturally enough, I wanted to know who the hell she was before I would give out any details. She would not say quoting 'data protection'. So I said that I could not give my details to an unknown caller because of 'data protection' and hung up.

PinkLipgloss

On the other side.......

I lived in Madrid for 2 years. During this time a dodgy gas salesperson (who I never met or had any dealings with) decided that I had signed up for her companies services. She fraudulently filled out some paperwork on my behalf and all she required to do this was my name! Which she got from my mailbox (was living in an apartment).

Cue my gas company cancelling my account and new company sending me invoices!

I was totally enraged and it was a lot of hassel to change back. My Spanish friends told me it was very common for rogue sales people to do this in order to get commission.

When I complained to my gas company that they didn't have my permission/ signature / account number yet changed my account they couldn't care less - such is the laid back way companies operate in Spain.

I called the rogue company to have a rant and they were adamant that I had called them to request the changes! Since they recorded calls (there was a recorded notification of this when I called) I promptly requested that they access the tape as I'd be most interested to hear myself request their services - particularly when I was leaving the country in a couple of weeks - they became sheepish and suddenly apologetic.

So I actually appreciate companies in the UK checking that it is actually me on the phone!

Tiddlywinks

Azari wrote: »

Or ... more gullible?

Absolutely not. I work with the DPA and FOIA every day and I can tell you that they ARE powerful tools for the individual in fighting against bureaucracy. They are also some of the most mis-understood and misquoted (usually by the redtop newspapers).

The DPA places a personal responsibility on each employee not to misuse or release (without appropriate authority) any personal data. That is why agents in call centres are so careful about going through the motions. They also mis-quote and blame the DPA for all sorts of things but that is normally due to lack of training.

The DPA data principles are here:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection/the_guide/the_principles.aspx

The ICO is more that happy to take on a complaint if the individual feels that theses principles have not been adhered to.

Don't assume someone is gullible (or brainwashed as suggested by someone else) just because they are supportive of a piece of legislation - my position is an informed one.

Azari

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Absolutely not. I work with the DPA and FOIA every day and I can tell you that they ARE powerful tools for the individual in fighting against bureaucracy. They are also some of the most mis-understood and misquoted (usually by the redtop newspapers).

The DPA places a personal responsibility on each employee not to misuse or release (without appropriate authority) any personal data. That is why agents in call centres are so careful about going through the motions. They also mis-quote and blame the DPA for all sorts of things but that is normally due to lack of training.

The DPA data principles are here:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection/the_guide/the_principles.aspx

The ICO is more that happy to take on a complaint if the individual feels that theses principles have not been adhered to.

Don't assume someone is gullible (or brainwashed as suggested by someone else) just because they are supportive of a piece of legislation - my position is an informed one.

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear.

It is people who simply accept that anything blamed on the DPA (or H&S legislation) is actually caused by the DPA that I meant were gullible.

I've seen many instances of companies using the DPA as a magic bullet to avoid doing something. Similarly, I've seen several cases where the registrar has taken a very laid back attitude to companies using data in a way that one would have hoped would be the very thing that the DPA was designed to stop.

qetu1357

Azari wrote: »

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear.

It is people who simply accept that anything blamed on the DPA (or H&S legislation) is actually caused by the DPA that I meant were gullible.

I've seen many instances of companies using the DPA as a magic bullet to avoid doing something. Similarly, I've seen several cases where the registrar has taken a very laid back attitude to companies using data in a way that one would have hoped would be the very thing that the DPA was designed to stop.

Also see H&S being blamed when it is nothing of the sort.........

http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm

Dave_C_2

I don't mind answering questions if I call the company. If I ring my bank I expect to be asked security questions.

The other way round I will never answer any questions when they ring me - it could be anyone.
Always ask for a name, branch and extension number then look for the phone number either on-line or on a bill and ring them back.

Dave

no1catman

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I find the rule that they can only talk to the account holder annoying. Often it is more convenient if I talk to someone about my wife's account rather than my wife talking to them.

But how do 'they' know your is in agreement - with that? After, all they could provide info or a service in relation to her account that she is not happy with - she didn't give that permission. Besides, it could be said that if she wanted you to know - you'd have a joint account.
I've often had to say 'I can't do that without talking to the account holder'. Sometimes the reasons they give that you can't are sad - husband's serving in Afganistan, other times silly.
Most people are fine and understanding, though get abusive .......

mattyprice4004

OP, if you really get that uppity about people asking for your date of birth (how DARE they!) then you sound like one of the morons I had the pleasure of talking to evey day at my old job.

Whining about having to pass data protection and just having a problem with EVERYTHING I asked.

Funnily enough I don't care who you are, how old you are or about the first line of your address. Im told what to ask, do next time you ring up and get a cob on remember its not the person on the end of the phone that invented the policy.

Also, always remember the golden rule - never get too angry with a call centre rep, they have your address and all of your contact details. I've heard some interesting stories!