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Post by everso on Dec 20, 2010 13:06:17 GMT
...data protection laws?
Last Friday I paid a visit to my aunt, and whilst there answered the phone for her. It was an Indian call centre - the usual stuff, trying to flog something, and I asked them how they'd got hold of my aunt's number, seeing as she's with the Telephone Preference Service. He was good enough to tell me that a company called D.L.G. sells them the info and gave me their phone number. I left a very irate message on their answering machine and this morning, much to my surprise, actually received a call from them.
The chap explained that my aunt must have done an on line survey (she has no computer), or a written survey (she's blind) or a telephone survey (she's not ex-directory, so I guess they go through the phone books). They then sell the information collected from these "surveys" on to various companies. For instance, if you'd taken part in a survey and had indicated an interest in t.v. programmes, they'd sell your information to someone like Sky.
What I would really like to know is how they are allowed to do this, when, at every turn, I'm stopped from speaking on behalf of my aunt and uncle to various financial companies, banks etc. (or was until I obtained Power of Attorney recently), and the "Data Protection" excuse is always trotted out.
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Post by riotgrrl on Dec 20, 2010 19:15:31 GMT
...data protection laws? Last Friday I paid a visit to my aunt, and whilst there answered the phone for her. It was an Indian call centre - the usual stuff, trying to flog something, and I asked them how they'd got hold of my aunt's number, seeing as she's with the Telephone Preference Service. He was good enough to tell me that a company called D.L.G. sells them the info and gave me their phone number. I left a very irate message on their answering machine and this morning, much to my surprise, actually received a call from them. The chap explained that my aunt must have done an on line survey (she has no computer), or a written survey (she's blind) or a telephone survey (she's not ex-directory, so I guess they go through the phone books). They then sell the information collected from these "surveys" on to various companies. For instance, if you'd taken part in a survey and had indicated an interest in t.v. programmes, they'd sell your information to someone like Sky. What I would really like to know is how they are allowed to do this, when, at every turn, I'm stopped from speaking on behalf of my aunt and uncle to various financial companies, banks etc. (or was until I obtained Power of Attorney recently), and the "Data Protection" excuse is always trotted out. I suspect they're a shower of lying barstewards. They are not allowed to do this, but nobody ever does anything about it.
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Post by everso on Dec 20, 2010 19:44:39 GMT
I agree.
The thing is, I respect anything that protects data. It just seems crazy that my details can be sold down the river.
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Post by riotgrrl on Dec 20, 2010 19:47:15 GMT
I agree. The thing is, I respect anything that protects data. It just seems crazy that my details can be sold down the river. Theoretically they can't. And any company or charity with any integrity will not do that without your express permission and will guard your data closely. You should see the rules in my organisation for data protection! Unfortunately, not every company has integrity. If you can be bothered you could probably complain to the Data Protection people and make a fuss about it. I reckon you're totally in the right.
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Post by everso on Dec 20, 2010 19:57:16 GMT
I agree. The thing is, I respect anything that protects data. It just seems crazy that my details can be sold down the river. Theoretically they can't. And any company or charity with any integrity will not do that without your express permission and will guard your data closely. You should see the rules in my organisation for data protection! Unfortunately, not every company has integrity. If you can be bothered you could probably complain to the Data Protection people and make a fuss about it. I reckon you're totally in the right. Thanks Riot. I might just do that. Actually, I'd be complaining on behalf of my aunt and uncle, so that might not allow it. You know, data protection and all that. ;D Seriously, though, I think I will complain.
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Post by housesparrow on Dec 20, 2010 21:01:56 GMT
They are in India and I doubt if there is anything anyone can do about it.
If your aunt did complete a survey and forgot to tick the "I do not wish to be contacted.." box, she almost certainly will end up om lists.
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Post by Patrick on Dec 20, 2010 21:55:47 GMT
In addition, some of these companies use "Autodiallers". A programme that dials UK numbers at random - so it doesn't matter even if you're ex driectory you could still be got at. Companies with their call centres overseas see themselves as 'outside' of UK legislation to be able to do this. I had one little Indian phone up about mobile phones who got very rude when I tried the usual defences against the intrusion. That's when we went TPS, but the Autodiallers win out still.
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Post by everso on Dec 21, 2010 9:39:19 GMT
Well the Indian chap I spoke to actually gave me the phone number for D.L.G. so I assumed it wasn't one of these random things.
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Post by aubrey on Dec 21, 2010 10:23:33 GMT
I like it when you get a call that starts off with crackles, then you finally make out a voice, sounding like it's miles under water: and he's trying to sell you a phone service of some kind.
There's a bloke on the Fall site said he got a text promising to help him get compensation for his recent accident. He thought, how could they know about me crapping myself on the way home from the pub on Saturday night?
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Post by everso on Dec 21, 2010 10:48:57 GMT
I like it when you get a call that starts off with crackles, then you finally make out a voice, sounding like it's miles under water: and he's trying to sell you a phone service of some kind. There's a bloke on the Fall site said he got a text promising to help him get compensation for his recent accident. He thought, how could they know about me crapping myself on the way home from the pub on Saturday night? Although what really annoys me is when someone with a very strong Indian accent claims that his name is John.
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Post by aubrey on Dec 23, 2010 12:05:22 GMT
I got one on Tuesday calling himself Luke. I think that's what he said.
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Post by everso on Dec 23, 2010 14:22:37 GMT
I got one on Tuesday calling himself Luke. I think that's what he said. I was apoplectic yesterday when, once again, I had to answer the phone to one of these Indian call centres. He promised to take me off his list, but I wonder just how many more I've been sold down the river to? I know these guys and girls are only doing their job, but someone somewhere is making a packet out of this shady business and I'm beginning to feel violated.everso getting a bit OTT there.
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