Data Protection

Annabelle21

First of all I'm not even sure if this is relevant for these pages but I thought I'd try.

I am renting a property through a rental agency in England. Someone at that agency has used my personal email address and mobile number to set up an online account and placed an item in the basket but didn't complete the purchase. I only found out as I received a welcome email from the online company and a follow up call on my mobile later that day to ask if I needed help completing my purchase.

What I am interested to know is have the agency breached my rights under the data protection act by using my details in this way?

Any advice is much appreciated.

battleborn

It would help if you told us what they had ordered and why.

Annabelle21

They placed a washing machine in the basket but didn't go through with it. Funnily enough they were replacing the washing machine in the house I am renting.

I'm more concerned about them setting up the account without informing me. Is that normal?

battleborn

Annabelle21 wrote: »

They placed a washing machine in the basket but didn't go through with it. Funnily enough they were replacing the washing machine in the house I am renting.

I'm more concerned about them setting up the account without informing me. Is that normal?

It sounds like to me they have just used your details to request a replacement washing machine from there supplier, I assume they used your email and mobile number, so the suppler could arrange delivery to you.

Annabelle21

I wish it were that simple. The account was actually set up in my name and then abandoned. I only knew because I received the welcome email and phone call. The agency are denying it was anything to do with them but it certainly wasn't me.

BTW they must have ordered it again because it's in and working, no third party contacted me regarding delivery.

battleborn

If they had used your bank/card details then it would be a concern, but it appears they havent so I would worry about it too much.

Annabelle21

Thanks Battleborn. that is the reason I'm not too worried. But I was just wondering how that sits with the data protection act.

tinkerbell28

So what you're saying is. Lets use for example Very, other catalogue shopping is available.

They have gone on to a site similar to this, used your personal details to open an account. You know this as you get the oops you've left something in your basket, or the welcome phone call.

I cannot believe people do not see the issue with this? If you are 100 % sure it is the lettings agent. Then there is a case for taking it further. Are you 100% sure it is though?

Annabelle21

Thanks for getting it tinkerbell!

It can only be them or their maintenance company as it wasn't me. The dates all fit too. There is no other reason for anyone else to do it nor would anyone else even know that a new washing machine needed to be ordered.

They are denying all knowledge but reading through their responses I can tell they don't really understand what the big deal is.

ILW

If the only information they used was your name and address, there would not be a problem. I think the word "account" is rather overused and doubt an account had been set up in the true sense of allowing credit.

ValHaller

ILW wrote: »

If the only information they used was your name and address, there would not be a problem. I think the word "account" is rather overused and doubt an account had been set up in the true sense of allowing credit.

The problem is using OPs email address and mobile no to set up a user account (not necessarily a financial account) on a 3rd party's online system.

If it is not breaching Data Protection in strict terms, it is certainly sailing close to the wind.