Someone has divulged my address without my explicit consent WWYD?

amibovvered

Alter_ego wrote: »

Your name and address is freely available on the electoral roll, how can that be private information?

Because if your name was John Smith no-one would have any idea which was your address out of the many? You'd have to have a pretty good idea of someone's address already to be sure you'd got the correct entry unless they had a very unusual name.

pmlindyloo

The key point here is whether it is a registered charity and has to abide by the regulations set up by the Charities Act.

If it is then you need to make a formal complaint to the Chairman/Board of trustees and have this discussed at a meeting.

If it's not a registered charity then you just need to speak to the chairman and raise your concerns.

Gra76

I'd be asking the committee to refrain from handing out personal information, other than that there's not a lot else I'd do. Chalk it up to people thinking they're helping out when actually they're causing you problems without realising. If you point it out to them that you'd rather they didn't hand out your personal information hopefully they'll remember next time.

Reggie_Rebel

If you want to find someone's address then you can do it on the internet in ten minutes.

However the person concerned should not have given the details out and this should be bought up.

As to what happens really depends on the OP. Do you just want to highlight this mistake to stop it occurring again or are you after your pound of flesh?

[Deleted User]

I'm almost tempted to pay http://www.192.com/ to find out if they've really got my details right - since they shouldn't as we've opted out of having detailed records with BT (http://www.thephonebook.bt.com/publisha.content/en/index.publisha) and on the electoral register

bagpussbear

Although I am not sure about any legalities about this situation, I would be cheesed off in your shoes too. The Committee could have at least checked with you that you were happy for them to give your details. And did they not think it a bit odd, or ask why they were asking for addresses?

Yes, I think you should contact the Chairman, in writing, and ask for a discussion about the matter.

Why does the man turn up anyway, just to introduce himself or wanting something?

jackyann

A charity is not an informal group of people - it will have a proper constitution and rules.
That is why there is a formal way to raise this.

However, having been involved in many charities, one does feel awkward about complaining to someone who is doing their best in a voluntary capacity, and just hadn't realised that it was unacceptable. People who have spent most of their lives in small, safe & trusting communities often don't realise the dangers.

My reaction would depend on the personalities involved. Theoretically, as bagpussbear says, a formal request to the Chair.

If you feel that a quiet word in the right ear would suffice, then I would do that, possibly ask for a general motion at the next meeting, around divulging information.

I would keep it impersonal, and at present, not say that you find the guy "creepy" as it will obscure your main point.
You could however, say very firmly "Of course, we have neighbours who keep an eye out for us (whether you do or not!) but ...charity....needs to be careful about giving out personal information"

rachy182

I would definitely write a formal complaint to the head of the charity about this. They have given out your personal information without your permission to someone who you don't know ( I would understand more if you appeared really close). The guy seems really creepy and I would emphasize that this person turned up at you house unannounced, makes you uncomfortable and seems to be targeting women. Stress that you are worried about your safety as this guy now knows where you live.

I know that he could be a nice guy who just wants to make friends but it seems suspect if he just wants female addresses. I dont know if you could take it any further but at least this will stop other peoples information from been distributed.

bap98189

KMA wrote: »

What would you do?

There have been all sorts things discussed from the Data Protection to formal motions. At the end of the day it's a small charity, being run by volunteers. The person who gave out your address probably thought he was being helpful, introducing you to another member. It probably never crossed their mind that anyone would have a problem with this.

Forget motions, letters and legal discourse, just ring up the chairman or, and ask them nicely if they would mind not giving out your address without asking first. Then they can tell the relevant committee members.

Alikay

Mojisola wrote: »

A charity isn't an informal group of people.

I know that, but I work for a charity and there are strict Data Protection and confidentiality rules and procedures which all staff, volunteers and service users are made aware of. The OP's group is quite small, and no-one in it seems to know laws about the matter, so I wasn't sure it was a "proper" charity or an informal group who do charitable work in their local community.