Sorry, If You're Not The Account Holder We Can't Talk To You

wishiwasinliverpool

The gas is with British Gas, the electricity is with Scottish Power.

And she was a jobsworth. She didn't even bother to tell me who I ought to talk to when I asked her what I could do about the current situation, all she kept saying was she couldn't talk to me until I had power of attorney in place.

Don't you dare quote the Data Protection Act to me, love, I know all about it, I work in the NHS, but when you're trying to do the best by your mum and you come across brick walls like this it isn't so easy to be objective. All I can see right now is my mother's world collapsing around her and I'm powerless to prevent it, and I've also come across horror stories even when LPA is in place that a lot of organisations won't listen to you.

Let's hope it doesn't happen to you, eh?

Yeah, sorry, I forgot to respond about the house insurance.

I did actually look into it again for her by going onto the price comparison sites and stating that the property was empty. I came up with some quotes a lot less than those vultures at the Halifax were quoting for an occupied property. I shall have to ring them up and try to explain to them but I bet they won't take my money. Correction: my husband's money. I don't earn enough to cover extra bills on top of what I pay towards our bills.

Thanks for your help and support and suggestions, guys

wishiwasinliverpool

That didn't edit...

@PMlindyloo My sister was paying the bills for Mum up until November 2012 but is refused to do it any longer. I have the bank books now. We're not speaking to one another, either, so I wouldn't ask her to spit on me if I were on fire.

duchy

I love the arrogance -If you don't get your own way then the person on the phone refusing to breech the Data Protection laws must be a "jobsworth". Most companies do record calls and QA them. Certainly in my company had I done what you'd wanted and got caught out -it would be instant dismissal for gross misconduct ....so sorry but in this case it honestly *is* "more than my job is worth" and no matter how nasty you get I don't have a choice (if people are really nice I've been known to bend DPA as far as I can without breaking it -and got a slapped wrist for it) as my livelihood is more important to me than a stroppy customer who thinks the rules don't apply to them.

Frankly if you work for the NHS and don't understand what confidentiality means .... and why you can't break it at whim then you've missed the point a bit !

wishiwasinliverpool

I frankly couldn't give a tuppenny toss about the feelings of someone on a customer care line when all I am trying to do is to help my mother.

Which is why my husband won't let me near the phone on Monday morning.

The Post Office did at least give me an alternative number to ring so I could explain the situation which is more than what the Halifax did. I ask simply for a bit of understanding from these people and a bit of time. It's not too much to ask.

duchy

wishiwasinliverpool wrote: »

And she was a jobsworth. She didn't even bother to tell me who I ought to talk to when I asked her what I could do about the current situation, all she kept saying was she couldn't talk to me until I had power of attorney in place.

?

But there was no-one who she could ask -it'd be like you telling the brother of a cancer patient you couldn't tell him his sister's prognosis and him demanding to speak to a doctor ......medical confidentiality doesn't change depending on who you talk to -and neither does DPA.

trina2010

listen OP, my point was that everyone has duty over your mothers information and that is the duty they are upholding. dont 'listen love' me, if you dont want the answers dont ask for others opinions. what i am saying and dutchy is saying is totally true, and based on your respect for others coming across in these posts i would HATE to come across you in the NHS, i would doubt anything i say would be handled confidentially as it should be.

you need to take a step back, count to 10 and realise that people are only able to do what they are able to do, ok the post office has an alternate available for you, another company doesnt, that does not mean that people dont care.
have more respect for people and you might get a bit further, but in this case, DPA is law, not an option as you should well know

Errata

wishiwasinliverpool wrote: »

I frankly couldn't give a tuppenny toss about the feelings of someone on a customer care line when all I am trying to do is to help my mother.

Which is why my husband won't let me near the phone on Monday morning.

The Post Office did at least give me an alternative number to ring so I could explain the situation which is more than what the Halifax did. I ask simply for a bit of understanding from these people and a bit of time. It's not too much to ask.

The organisations are protecting your mother's interests. Isn't that what you want and she needs?

joolsybools

Wouldn't it just be easier to get a power of attorney then you shouldn't have this problem at all ever again?

Tiddlywinks

wishiwasinliverpool wrote: »

Don't you dare quote the Data Protection Act to me, love, I know all about it, I work in the NHS, but when you're trying to do the best by your mum and you come across brick walls like this it isn't so easy to be objective. All I can see right now is my mother's world collapsing around her and I'm powerless to prevent it, and I've also come across horror stories even when LPA is in place that a lot of organisations won't listen to you.

Let's hope it doesn't happen to you, eh?
...........

I did actually look into it again for her by going onto the price comparison sites and stating that the property was empty. I came up with some quotes a lot less than those vultures at the Halifax were quoting for an occupied property. I shall have to ring them up and try to explain to them but I bet they won't take my money. Correction: my husband's money. I don't earn enough to cover extra bills on top of what I pay towards our bills.

Do you get how mean spirited and rude you sound?

The customer services agents are jobsworths just because they are complying with the Law... Halifax employs 'vultures' just because they are charging more than you expect for house insurance... and forum members are insulted because they happen to disagree with you.

I know your life is probably very stressful at the moment but you need to take a moment to see that you are not helping matters.

At the moment you are not your mother's legal representive and so have NO LEGAL RIGHT to access her personal data.

Accept that... because it is a fact that will not change until you get the appropriate paperwork in place.

Shouting, having hissy fits etc won't help.

Concentrate your energies on getting the paperwork and then moving forward.

PS - I wouldn't follow suggestions of impersonating your mother in order to access information as that is fraud, regardless of the underlying motive.

lolavix

Wow how rude are you, I wouldn't want to help you either!

LPA can be much quicker, it just depends on when you apply. Mine was sorted in around 6 weeks for my nan. But then I don't speak to people like something on the bottom of my shoe, which may make them more accomadating. Try being a bit more polite and people may be more willing to help you.