Data protection question

Timmne

Hi all,

A few weeks ago I went to a wedding fayre with my girlfriend and her chief bridesmaid, one that my girlfriend and I have been to before when we first got engaged a few months ago.

The last time we went we had to fill in our details in order to get into the place, which was free entry. A week or so after going to the first one we started receiving things in the post for wedding companies but this was so soon after we were engaged it was amazing (to us) that people had found out so quickly! We had suspicions that it was the wedding fayre that had given our name and address out, so we thought this time that we'd try it out....

As it's compulsory to give a name and address to the receptionist on entry, my girlfriend decided to use the bridesmaid's name but with our address. She also asked the guy whether this information would be given to anyone - he said it wouldn't; it was just so we could be entered into a draw.

As predicted, the post 'for the bridesmaid' has started arriving this week; we now have 4 letters.

Has the wedding fayre company gone against the data protection act by handing out our information? I'm really annoyed about it as we have enough rubbish coming through our door already without the extra carp from these wedding companies!

If so, is there anything I can do about it?

I haven't actually lost out financially on this so it's nothing financial I'm aiming for - it's more that I want to get them back somehow for lying to us and handing our details out to all and sundry!

Cheers in advance

superscaper

I'm pretty sure they have in fact contravened the data protection act. The organisation responsible for enforcing the act is the Information Commissioner's Office. You can make a complaint with them. Although they must be overflowing with work I find they're quite helpful and they WILL get around to your complaint even if it isn't straight away.

mogoot

You could contact the people who run the event and explain your concerns to them. However, without knowing for sure whose lists you are on, I suspect there's little you can do to have your name removed. You could try ringing individual companies demanding they remove you.

As for 'getting them back', the Information Commissioner's Office have a guide on what you can do, and you can raise a complaint if you feel necessary. http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/data_protection.aspx

If receiving junkmail is really bothering you, try registering on the mailing preference service. mpsonline.org.uk