Breach of personal info?

Benji15

Hello!
Not sure where to post this so will ask here!

I had a council tax debt with a bailiff and was paying monthly. A few months ago he called my ex partner and father of my baby in error asking to speak to me. He then divulged info to my partner about the fact I had paid a day late etc. This caused an almighty argument with the ex who has had to lend me the money to pay while I've been on maternity leave.
I spoke to the bailiff the next day and said he should not have spoken to my ex as the debt is in my name. He said he would get the office to remove the number.
He never did because he phones my ex regularly now including today to see why I hadn't made a payment - when in fact I did 2 hours previously!
Surely this is a breach of confidentiality or something?
Anyway debt cleared today- which is a relief but I'm fuming!!

Sazzie23

Hi Benji

Well done at clearing the debt, I think I'd report to data protection office, not sure if they be the right people, but certainly seems out of order and like you, I'd be pretty naffed off.

Saz

sourcrates

This is a perfect example of why you never divulge personal info to any old tom, !!!!, or harry that asks for it.
How did the bailiff get the phone number in the first place ?

Never give anyone anything more than you are legally obliged to, which is your name and your address, for police, a bailiff is entitled to nothing.


All they will do is use it to there advantage, to get money from you, hopefully your dealings with them are now over.

National_Debtline

Hi Benji15,


They shouldn't have discussed this with anyone not named on the court order and if they have you can make a formal complaint to the bailiff firm and escalate the matter to their trade association CIVEA. (I should mention that if your ex was named on the debt, even if you had taken on responsibility, they could've discussed this with him). However, you do say it is in your name - so I assume that is not the case.


So you can complain, and whilst I don't want to be discouraging, I do wonder what the complaint would achieve now that the debt is cleared. Realistically, they won't refund any of the money paid, the best you may get is an apology. You can copy in the council so they are aware of the tactics used by their bailiffs but again, there isn't much more they will normally do at this stage. If you feel strongly about this then a complaint is all you can do at this stage.


Laura
@natdebtline