Direct Line useless at removing names on database

Legacy_user

Every week, I get at least one letter addressed to this person who has never lived at this address. I have been the only person at this address since new.

Its getting to the stage I am getting 2 letters a week for this person from DL.

I have wrote on the envelopes in thick black marker pen 'not at this address -please remove name'

Still these letters from DL and Churchill keep coming - just marketing.

As I am having a bad time - mother in hospital after breaking her hip, I saw yet another marketing blurb from DL and I had to open it to find a phone number.

Phoned a geo based number as found on saynotoo0870 and they all went to the claim dept. Asked one CSA to transfer me to whoever removes names from the databases.

I was told by them to fill out a form on Mail Preference Services. Not once they asked me this person's name or my details!

When I have lived at other addresses before and had mail being sent to the prev tenant 2 years after I moved in, the companies have apologised and removed the details there and then.

Why should I have to do DL's group work for them? Why can't their admin team just do such a simple thing of removing a name off their list?

I will do a MPS form, but if I still get blurb from DL's group after the specified time MPS says that it will take x weeks for details to be taken off the list, what are my rights?

I am not a DL customer but was one about 4 years ago.

pmduk

ScarletMarble wrote: »

I was told by them to fill out a form on Mail Preference Services. Not once they asked me this person's name or my details!

It's quite likely that the claims staff have no ability to remove names from a database hence their answer.

reehsetin

maybe see about making a complaint with the information commissioner, they have a duty to ensure (not 100% on the wording) but that the data they hold is accurate and up to date

Sooler

Try this

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, any organisation has to stop using your personal information for direct marketing purposes if you ask them to do so.
This is a very effective way of stopping unwanted mail as they can't refuse to take your name, address and any other personal information off their mailing list.
To do this, you must contact the organisation directly. Make sure you:

• put the notice in writing (this can be an email)
• make it clear that you are asking the organisation to ‘stop (or not to begin) processing your personal data for direct marketing purposes in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998'
• put the date on your notice
• give the organisation your full name and address
• include a reasonable date from which you want the organisation to stop processing your personal data (usually a period of 28 days)

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nireland/consumer_ni/consumer_post_e/consumer_problems_with_post_e/consumer_problems_with_unwanted_or_junk_mail_e/how_can_you_stop_junk_mail_that_is_addressed_to_you.htm

tgon

Sadly, I had an operator once complain to me that I was complaining to them to get a previous resident off their database. "Return to Sender - Not at this address" seems such an old fashioned waste of time nowadays.

bod1467

@Sooler ... the problem here is that whilst the marketing is coming to the OP's address, it is not addressed to the OP. Does that change anything with respect to the DPA?

Sooler

bod1467 wrote: »

@Sooler ... the problem here is that whilst the marketing is coming to the OP's address, it is not addressed to the OP. Does that change anything with respect to the DPA?

ah ok .. then the OP can just sign the letter they send as the name on letters they recieve from DL.