Estate Agents have sold my details to a company without my permission

bobb1985

So I've just exchanged contracts to buy my first house (yipeeeeee) and completion is next week.

Months ago when a sale was agreed I received a sales memorandum from the estate agents and within it stated they would give my details to a utility comparison company and a broadband comparison company. They also stated if I didn't want to be contacted by these companies I could opt out by contacting the branch. I sent them an email stating that I didn't want any contact from these companies.

Soooo.. fast forward to this morning and I have received a text, and email and a dead phonecall from one of these comparison companies and I am livid.

I don't like estate agents. It's the most bent and untrustworthy profession I've come across, especially when you consider that they oversee possibly the biggest transactions of most people's lives. I can't see very much what they have actually done in this whole process, but what I wanted them specifically not to do, they've gone and done it!

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do next.. complain to the estate agents? seems to me that will fall on deaf ears.

Any advice anybody?

Guest101

bobb1985 wrote: »

So I've just exchanged contracts to buy my first house (yipeeeeee) and completion is next week.- Congrats

Months ago when a sale was agreed I received a sales memorandum from the estate agents and within it stated they would give my details to a utility comparison company and a broadband comparison company. They also stated if I didn't want to be contacted by these companies I could opt out by contacting the branch. I sent them an email stating that I didn't want any contact from these companies.- Did the acknowledge this?

Soooo.. fast forward to this morning and I have received a text, and email and a dead phonecall from one of these comparison companies and I am livid. - Block and ignore.

I don't like estate agents. It's the most bent and untrustworthy profession I've come across, especially when you consider that they oversee possibly the biggest transactions of most people's lives. - They don't. I can't see very much what they have actually done in this whole process, - They don't work for you? but what I wanted them specifically not to do, they've gone and done it! - Not sure what you signed, or why?

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do next.. complain to the estate agents? seems to me that will fall on deaf ears. - Ignore and block

Any advice anybody?

yes, life's too short.

agrinnall

And of course it could just be coincidence that you've been contacted - plenty of us get calls from these companies without moving house.

bobb1985

Guest101 wrote: »

yes, life's too short.

I'm not going to worry myself over having to block and ignore a couple of companies.

However, I don't stand for improper let alone illegal conduct.

Also, yes they did acknowledge my email request.

bobb1985

agrinnall wrote: »

And of course it could just be coincidence that you've been contacted - plenty of us get calls from these companies without moving house.

To clarify - the company that emailed/text/phoned was the same company that the estate agents said they were going to give my details to... and they said they were ringing because the estate agents gave them my details.

Guest101

bobb1985 wrote: »

I'm not going to worry myself over having to block and ignore a couple of companies.

However, I don't stand for improper let alone illegal conduct.

Also, yes they did acknowledge my email request.

Ok well in that case contact the ICO, make a complaint.


But as I say, I don't know why you signed anything as a buyer.

bobb1985

Guest101 wrote: »

Ok well in that case contact the ICO, make a complaint.


But as I say, I don't know why you signed anything as a buyer.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean when you're mentioning something being signed.

Stevie_Palimo

bobb1985 wrote: »

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean when you're mentioning something being signed.

If you are that worried about one phone call sue the EA.

Guest101

bobb1985 wrote: »

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean when you're mentioning something being signed.

Whatever this is: Months ago when a sale was agreed I received a sales memorandum from the estate agents and within it stated they would give my details to a utility comparison company and a broadband comparison company.


You have no contract with the estate agent. So clearly you must've signed this?

bobb1985

Guest101 wrote: »

Whatever this is: Months ago when a sale was agreed I received a sales memorandum from the estate agents and within it stated they would give my details to a utility comparison company and a broadband comparison company.


You have no contract with the estate agent. So clearly you must've signed this?

A sales memorandum is just a document that is given to all parties and solicitors to state agreed price and buyers/seller details of a sale (that's my understanding anyway) - Nothing had to be signed.

Guest101

bobb1985 wrote: »

A sales memorandum is just a document that is given to all parties and solicitors to state agreed price and buyers/seller details of a sale (that's my understanding anyway) - Nothing had to be signed.

But that doesn't form a contract for services.


That's an information only document. It just summarising what the state of play is at the time it is produced.


I would suggest if you feel strongly you contact the ICO and complain.