Why and how have they got my details

[Postdog]

My Partner and I recently moved, though before we were only living together elsewhere for a short time, so we haven't really been "associated" before now.

This morning we both got credit card applications from the same firm, which I am going to ignore anyway, but it puzzles me where they got the information from.Is there any legal requirement for them to supply this information to me when I ask, and if so, how do I word it.

It may seem a fuss over nothing to some, but I personally find this sort of thing sneaky, and if I can find the source of this information, I can deal with that. All to often we are asked to provide security info if we contact someone for something under the data protection act, and surely it must work in some way that we can also protect ourselves from unsolicited things like this. I just need to know where they got it and what they have and whether I have a right to ask them to remove it.

[ummmm]

Electoral Roll?

[Maydup]

Yes probably Electoral Roll. You can chose to have your details fully accessible or not, so check with your lcoal authority.

But you are also entitled to ask the card company, just give them a ring and say that you're trying to trace a breach in your data protection.

[ChuckFickens]

BT are one of the worst for selling customer information to third parties.

A friend got his BT account accidentally setup with a strange misspelling of his surname and a few months later started to get loads of junk mail and "offers" through with the same strange misspelling, coincidence!! we think not!

[Postdog]

Yeah cheers all, electoral roll does seem likely cos that was one of the first things we did. Do I have the right to ask them them to remove my details though?

[bednobs]

you can't remove your details from the electoral roll

[Postdog]

duh,remove my details they got from wherever seeing as my particulars are none of their business

[Old_Geezer]

You may not remove your details from the electoral role but you can tick the box to make them unavailable to other parties.

[Zeuhl]

why are you so sensitive about your name and address?
As 'particulars' go they are hardly private data are they.

Indeed, your name and address are in the public domain and you can't stop someone writing to you anymore than you can make ringing on your doorbell a criminal offence.

[Zeuhl]

Old Geezer

digital access yes.
But anyone can access the ER and copy down someone's name and address if they so wish.

It's public information.

[Postdog]

Think I'll just send the envelope back with one of my dog's doings in it instead.....well at least stuffed with toilet paper so they pay the postage.

[Maydup]

You certainly can have you details hidden on the E Roll, I have. Just get in touch with them and ask them to tick the box.

That way no-one can see you on the list and the junk mail stops. Another think you can do is to add yourselves to the mail preference service.

http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/

This works too; I get very little unwanted mail thankfully.

[Zeuhl]

<That way no-one can see you on the list and the junk mail stops.>

Stops junk mail but not true to say <no one can see you>

as anyone can view the entire list if they visit your local civic centre or central library or wherever it's kept in your area.

[Maydup]

Of course you're correct, people can view the list in the civic centre, but its a labour intensive process and those who send junk mail don't colect data in that way.

[boxtops]

Just put it in the bin, postdog (after you've shredded your address, of course) - you don't have to take any notice if you don't want to.