Morrisons Data Breach

MorrisionRose

Hello, earlier this year I was informed by my employer, Morrisons, that all their personnel data, including mine had been stolen. You may remember it in the news media.

Morrisions gave us all membership to the Protectmyid service runs by Experian. I only just signed up in time before 16th June and now I can look at all the data they hold about me. I was spooked by this. Everything about my bank accounts., mobile phone and some catalogues was on there going back years. There were loads of searches from companies I'd never heard of, and a couple of bank accounts I'd long forgotten about but who were still sending details to this company. I don't mind saying, I came away from this feeling abused, that some one was collecting all this stuff about me and I didn't even know.

Anyway, why am I on about it now. Well when I signed up I had to put in details of my bank card, which I thought was odd, becasue Morrisons had set this up for free. ANother thing was I didn't have my bank card to hand so I used my Dad's instead, and it was accepted. Thing is now, when this expires in 18 months time I was told at work that my dad's card will be charged because they'll take a subscription without asking, just assuming that I want to continue with a paid service. Well I don't. The whole thing sickens me. Is it right that they'll charge the card like this?

Thankyou

gik

Inform them you don't want to continue in 18 months time and ask for it to be cancelled. I'd be more worried about you using your dad's card details to be honest.

thebritishbloke

ProtectMyID is provided my Experian. Experian are a Credit Reference Agency (CRA). Lenders (Banks, Credit card providers etc) share your data with these companies, about your lending history. This includes things like how much money you've borrowed, your repayment history etc. Surely you've heard of a credit report before? That's what you're seeing, is your credit report.

The searches that you don't recognise are probably insurance quotes from when you've used a comparison website looking for car insurance etc. They don't affect your ability to get credit or anything like that.

Yes, they probably will charge your Dad's credit card in 18 months time. They're not 'taking it without asking', when you signed up it will have said "You will be charged £X a month after the first 18 months".

There's no scam. There's no hidden or secret data. Everyone in the world has a report like what you're seeing, lenders see it whenever you apply for credit. It's nothing bad.

jellie

MorrisionRose wrote: »

Hello, earlier this year I was informed by my employer, Morrisons, that all their personnel data, including mine had been stolen. You may remember it in the news media.

Morrisions gave us all membership to the Protectmyid service runs by Experian. I only just signed up in time before 16th June and now I can look at all the data they hold about me. I was spooked by this. Everything about my bank accounts., mobile phone and some catalogues was on there going back years. There were loads of searches from companies I'd never heard of, and a couple of bank accounts I'd long forgotten about but who were still sending details to this company. I don't mind saying, I came away from this feeling abused, that some one was collecting all this stuff about me and I didn't even know.

Anyway, why am I on about it now. Well when I signed up I had to put in details of my bank card, which I thought was odd, becasue Morrisons had set this up for free. ANother thing was I didn't have my bank card to hand so I used my Dad's instead, and it was accepted. Thing is now, when this expires in 18 months time I was told at work that my dad's card will be charged because they'll take a subscription without asking, just assuming that I want to continue with a paid service. Well I don't. The whole thing sickens me. Is it right that they'll charge the card like this?

Thankyou

Make sure you tell them to cancel your subscription before they take any money after your free period is over. Sign up to Noddle.co.uk, which is free, and you can see what information is on your Call Credit file (another credit reference agency).

Then spend some time learning what credit files are, who can view them and when, and what the implications are if you make late payments/don't repay your debts.

Experian_company_representative

Hi MorrisonRose,

The ProtectMyID membership for Morrisons employees has been set up for 18 months, and will then cancel automatically at the end of this time. You won't need to contact us to do this, and you won't be charged.

All the information on your credit report comes from either the public record, or companies who have already gained your consent to share this information, this is usually done as part of the application process.

The information on your report will start to build up from the time you are 18, and lenders use this to help them make lending decisions. Companies can only view this information with your permission.

If you think information on the report is wrong, or there is information you dont recognise, contact us so we can investigate this for you.

Kind regards Neil

Joe_Bloggs

Here is the BBC link to the data theft.
This and similar threats are likely to strike many more victims in the future. I agree with jellie that Noddle is a good place to start for attempts at Identity theft.

I would have thought that the board of Morrison's would have the guts to pay for the protection of their employees given the breech. Perhaps a trade union should step in to offer this if the management fails.

J_B.

MorrisionRose

Thankyou to everyone who answered. My dad wasn't bothered about the card when I told him. And he'll be even happier when he knows he won't be getting charged. Joebloggs, Morrisons are paying. It was free to all staff to sign up to this for 18 months.