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ILW

2sparkle wrote: »

love trolls you make me giggle. Ive found out from someone working for a council they have broken data protection. thanks for the laugh :rotfl:

I do find these face saving replies rather childish. Why bother on an anonymous site?.

PZH

ThumbRemote wrote: »

But you didn't just give them the name and address. You also gave details of the specific situation regarding underpayment and baliffs. Presumably the council considered this sufficient to prove you had a valid interest in the matter.

To be honest (and despite the council trying to help), I am with the OP on this one.

Imagine, for instance (and this is NOT a real scenario) if I had sent a message on Facebook (of all places) if I had seen bailiffs knocking on my next door neighbours house. I know their name and address. But, surely the Council would absolutely breach some form of confidentiality if they sent me any information?

maninthestreet

Sending in the bailiffs for a 4p debt is not a proportionate response - have you or your father contacted your local councillors about this?
This is the sort of story the local press would love to get their teeth into.

wealdroam

ThumbRemote wrote: »

But you didn't just give them the name and address. You also gave details of the specific situation regarding underpayment and baliffs. Presumably the council considered this sufficient to prove you had a valid interest in the matter.

I agree.

And is it possible that the OP gave enough details and answered all security questions such that the council actually believed that they were dealing with the OP's father?

A rhetorical question.

fluffnutter

I guess it's one of those scenarios that, unless you were actually the person in question, or someone acting on their behalf, there's nothing to be gained from phoning up purporting to be them. What's the benefit of finding out more about this debt? Identity theft? There's no money to be made. Why would you steal the identity of someone who's got outstanding council tax debts and bailiffs knocking at the door?

OP, why not talk to your dad about power of attorney? Then you can deal with his affairs safe in the knowledge that you're not encouraging anyone to contravene the DPA.

stugib

PZH wrote: »

But, surely the Council would absolutely breach some form of confidentiality if they sent me any information?

FWIW I think it probably is a breach given the OP didn't seem to impersonate the data subject, and it seems pretty obvious the council knew it wasn't the person.

But I can't help thinking that the OP is less concerned about DPA breaches, and more interested in getting something to use against the council to help his case.

CIS

Being cynical here but I'd have doubts over any council tax using a bailiff for 4p - presumably what the OP means is that a payment was short by 4 p AND he has been paying late so it escalated from their with the issuing of a summons for the full years remaining council tax charge plus costs.

kezzygirl

2sparkle wrote: »

love trolls you make me giggle. Ive found out from someone working for a council they have broken data protection. thanks for the laugh :rotfl:

Why didn't you ask them in the first place then?...:(

somethingcorporate

So you asked them for helped, they helped and you moaned it is a breach of DPA?

Would you have been here moaning if they have sent you on your way due to DPA?

Jeez - there really is no pleasing some people.

mo786uk

People like OP are why working in the public sector is a nightmare and why everyone is so guarded with regards to DPA

That being said, they should not have communicatd with you at all via PM