Data Protection Act

skyblueheroes · 22-02-2005, 10:55

I've just experienced the 4th time I've been fobbed off because of the data protection act.

I can understand why its there, but companies now apply this to every transaction or query. Here are a couple of recent examples:

1. Just tried to renew the wifes car insurance (with me on it). I got asked if she was there. No I replied. Sorry, she need to do it. I just laughed over the phone. I commented that I knew everything and they were not telling me anything, and that I was paying them over ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£200 - no joy.

So, my extermely busy wife (thus I was calling) now has to spend 20mins on the phone to an incompetent insurance company.

2. I ordered some stuff from Argos online for the mother in law. I gave her name and address and just used my card info.

Anyway, discovered a few hours afterwards that I ordered the wrong one. So, called to cancel. Argos wouldn't cancel on my instruction as it was not in my name (even though card was). So, I asked mother in law to call, guess what.....she was told she can't cancel as its not her card. Farce. So, I called had a go at them and was told I couldn't cancel the order anyway as it had been 'processed' - a full 2 days before delivery.

So, the mother in law had to wait in just to refuse a delivery at the door.

Companies keep throwing the data protection garbage at us without knowing the actual laws.

Clowns the lot of em.

That'll be all

SBH.

Russ · 22-02-2005, 10:57

Actually the insurance company was in the right - an insurance document is a legally binding document and any changes can have a bearing on the law.

**Damien** · 22-02-2005, 11:00

Yep. Besides the DPA is excellent when it comes to online use. Our data is far more sercure here than in the US

skyblueheroes · 22-02-2005, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Actually the insurance company was in the right - an insurance document is a legally binding document and any changes can have a bearing on the law.

Dammit ! Don't agree

Oh well. It just gets annoying when you're trying to sort stuff out.

Russ · 22-02-2005, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyblueheroes

Dammit ! Don't agree

Oh well. It just gets annoying when you're trying to sort stuff out.

It's even worse when YOU are the idiot paying for it

Millay · 22-02-2005, 11:10

It is annoying, but is done for a reason.

My dad knows everythign about my finances, but the thought he could phone up my bank and start talking to them would make me scared. The same with insurance, only the policy holder should and is able to make any changes including renewal, unless you get your wife to phone up and give you permission to discuss the account on her behalf.

Not all husbands are as honest as you good sir

skyblueheroes · 22-02-2005, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millay

Not all husbands are as honest as you good sir

I know. I guess that the annoying bit. I'm just a good old husband trying to save my busy wife some work

Russ · 22-02-2005, 12:06

That'll teach you

Shaun · 22-02-2005, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Yep. Besides the DPA is excellent when it comes to online use. Our data is far more sercure here than in the US

Want to bet, you should have dealings with Orange and their call centre in India.

I do agree though many companies just use the DPA as a poor excuse for not knowing what to do over a situation.

22-02-2005, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Actually the insurance company was in the right - an insurance document is a legally binding document and any changes can have a bearing on the law.

No they werent, its not legally binding until its signed. Therefore they can take payment as long as you are paying however the contract is not truely alive until the proposer has signed the contract.

I always renew my wifes car policy and never had a problem through Churchill

ian@huth · 22-02-2005, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary_580

No they werent, its not legally binding until its signed. Therefore they can take payment as long as you are paying however the contract is not truely alive until the proposer has signed the contract.

I always renew my wifes car policy and never had a problem through Churchill

When my car insurance comes up for renewal I don't have to sign anything.

Russ · 22-02-2005, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary_580

No they werent, its not legally binding until its signed. Therefore they can take payment as long as you are paying however the contract is not truely alive until the proposer has signed the contract.

As someone who used to work for Admiral I can assure that's not correct - when you get your initial policy it will state that unless you specify otherwise the policy will self-renew. They do have to inform you of this again 30 days before the policy renews but the only way to stop it is to tell them so.

skyblueheroes · 22-02-2005, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

As someone who used to work for Admiral I can assure that's not correct - when you get your initial policy it will state that unless you specify otherwise the policy will self-renew. They do have to inform you of this again 30 days before the policy renews but the only way to stop it is to tell them so.

Not true on this one in question. It will lapse unless we call to renew.

AndrewJ · 22-02-2005, 13:30

If a site say a chat site holds data on what commands ( trace,ban,removeban,new photoimage for profile etc ) and other stuff, and they call this a admin log.

Now they state this is moderator only information and not relevenat to me through the DPA, and refuse to let me view it.

Is this legal?

22-02-2005, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

As someone who used to work for Admiral I can assure that's not correct - when you get your initial policy it will state that unless you specify otherwise the policy will self-renew. They do have to inform you of this again 30 days before the policy renews but the only way to stop it is to tell them so.

As someone who works for an insurance company TODAY (admittedly not in a customer service capacity) i can assure that is not the case. Its down to the companies interpretation of the rules. Certainly with some companies self renewing still requires a signature as you have to confirm that none of the details have changed
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewJames

If a site say a chat site holds data on what commands ( trace,ban,removeban,new photoimage for profile etc ) and other stuff, and they call this a admin log.

Now they state this is moderator only information and not relevenat to me through the DPA, and refuse to let me view it.

Is this legal?

huh? what are you talking about?

If the information cannot be used to identify you as a person then its not covered by the DPA