(1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop practises like that by British Gas?
Here are the details:
I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen very smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it was needed as part of the identity verification.
"What's your name?" "John Smith" "What's your address" "99 The High Street" [ID verification is now complete] "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to give my number for identity verification. This time, British Gas said "No" and that my number was requested in case there were emergency works in the area or something like that and I needed to be contacted.
I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. Or it would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my number.
From the conversation with them it appears BG may have provided my phone number to various subcontractors which they use for road works, issuing statements, receiving payments, etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone number would be erased from the subcontractor's systems.
What the heck is all this about???
(1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignore it. (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
Is there any action group to stop this happening. I guess British Gas is probably not the only company doing this.
gasso wrote: > (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. > (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number > (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it > (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop > practises like that by British Gas?
> Here are the details:
> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity verification > by asking for my phone number. It was doen very smoothly and I > provided my number because I thought it was needed as part of the > identity verification.
> "What's your name?" "John Smith" > "What's your address" "99 The High Street" > [ID verification is now complete] > "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was happening > and questioned if it was actually necessary to give my number for > identity verification. This time, British Gas said "No" and that > my number was requested in case there were emergency works in the > area or something like that and I needed to be contacted.
> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my phone > number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made several > calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. Or it had to > wait until I had received the next bill. Or it would take 10 > weeks. Etc. Etc.
> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually could > remove my number and I was happy. A few months later during a > call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my number.
> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have provided > my phone number to various subcontractors which they use for road > works, issuing statements, receiving payments, etc. British Gas > couldn't be certain my phone number would be erased from the > subcontractor's systems.
> What the heck is all this about???
> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. > (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. > (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignore it. > (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
> Is there any action group to stop this happening. I guess British > Gas is probably not the only company doing this.
From the way you present it they have broken the Data Protection Act. So go to the ICO web site and fill in a complaint form.
> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. > (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number > (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it > (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop > practises like that by British Gas?
> Here are the details:
> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity verification > by asking for my phone number. It was doen very smoothly and I > provided my number because I thought it was needed as part of the > identity verification.
> "What's your name?" "John Smith" > "What's your address" "99 The High Street" > [ID verification is now complete] > "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was happening > and questioned if it was actually necessary to give my number for > identity verification. This time, British Gas said "No" and that > my number was requested in case there were emergency works in the > area or something like that and I needed to be contacted.
> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my phone > number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made several > calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. Or it had to > wait until I had received the next bill. Or it would take 10 > weeks. Etc. Etc.
> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually could > remove my number and I was happy. A few months later during a > call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my number.
> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have provided > my phone number to various subcontractors which they use for road > works, issuing statements, receiving payments, etc. British Gas > couldn't be certain my phone number would be erased from the > subcontractor's systems.
> What the heck is all this about???
> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. > (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. > (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignore it. > (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
> Is there any action group to stop this happening. I guess British > Gas is probably not the only company doing this.
I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone number from their database should you request that they do so. I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to do so.
> "gasso" <inva...@mail.com> wrote in message > news:Xns9CB27A9109F06F3QA2@newsfarm.ams2.highwinds-media.com... >> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. >> (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number >> (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it >> (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
>> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop >> practises like that by British Gas?
>> Here are the details:
>> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity >> verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen very >> smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it was >> needed as part of the identity verification.
>> "What's your name?" "John Smith" >> "What's your address" "99 The High Street" >> [ID verification is now complete] >> "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
>> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was >> happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to give >> my number for identity verification. This time, British Gas >> said "No" and that my number was requested in case there were >> emergency works in the area or something like that and I >> needed to be contacted.
>> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my >> phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
>> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made >> several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. >> Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. Or it >> would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
>> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually >> could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later >> during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my >> number.
>> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have >> provided my phone number to various subcontractors which they >> use for road works, issuing statements, receiving payments, >> etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone number would be >> erased from the subcontractor's systems.
>> What the heck is all this about???
>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. >> (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. >> (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignores it. >> (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
>> Is there any action group to stop this happening? I guess >> British Gas is probably not the only company doing this.
> I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone > number from their database should you request that they do so. > I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) > Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to do so.
British Gas refuses to abide by those regulations. What reasonable options are there which force them to comply?
Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter through the courts?
I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers.
gasso wrote: > On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>> "gasso" <inva...@mail.com> wrote in message >> news:Xns9CB27A9109F06F3QA2@newsfarm.ams2.highwinds-media.com... >>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. >>> (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number >>> (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it >>> (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
>>> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop >>> practises like that by British Gas?
>>> Here are the details:
>>> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity >>> verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen very >>> smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it was >>> needed as part of the identity verification.
>>> "What's your name?" "John Smith" >>> "What's your address" "99 The High Street" >>> [ID verification is now complete] >>> "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
>>> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was >>> happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to give >>> my number for identity verification. This time, British Gas >>> said "No" and that my number was requested in case there were >>> emergency works in the area or something like that and I >>> needed to be contacted.
>>> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my >>> phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
>>> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made >>> several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. >>> Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. Or it >>> would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
>>> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually >>> could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later >>> during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my >>> number.
>>> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have >>> provided my phone number to various subcontractors which they >>> use for road works, issuing statements, receiving payments, >>> etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone number would be >>> erased from the subcontractor's systems.
>>> What the heck is all this about???
>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. >>> (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. >>> (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignores it. >>> (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
>>> Is there any action group to stop this happening? I guess >>> British Gas is probably not the only company doing this. >> I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone >> number from their database should you request that they do so. >> I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) >> Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to do so.
> British Gas refuses to abide by those regulations. What reasonable > options are there which force them to comply?
> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue > or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter > through the courts?
> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from > British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers.
I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web site to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did not collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided it in the belief it would be used for a different purpose.
> I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web site > to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did not > collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided it in the > belief it would be used for a different purpose.
The sods did it to me today. They have just rung trying to flog me electricity.
> "Rupert Moss-Eccardt" <r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote in message > news:B1lGm.31516$fq2.13833@newsfe18.ams2... >> I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web site >> to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did not >> collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided it in >> the belief it would be used for a different purpose. > The sods did it to me today. > They have just rung trying to flog me electricity.
I just wish they'd ring me and try to sell me some gas. We're not on the gas mains in this village, so I'd probably go along with their sales spiel and "switch" to them, just for a laugh.
On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:40:25 -0000, gasso <inva...@mail.com> wrote: > On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>> "gasso" <inva...@mail.com> wrote in message >> news:Xns9CB27A9109F06F3QA2@newsfarm.ams2.highwinds-media.com... >>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. >>> (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number >>> (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it >>> (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
>>> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop >>> practises like that by British Gas?
>>> Here are the details:
>>> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity >>> verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen very >>> smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it was >>> needed as part of the identity verification.
>>> "What's your name?" "John Smith" >>> "What's your address" "99 The High Street" >>> [ID verification is now complete] >>> "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
>>> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was >>> happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to give >>> my number for identity verification. This time, British Gas >>> said "No" and that my number was requested in case there were >>> emergency works in the area or something like that and I >>> needed to be contacted.
>>> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my >>> phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
>>> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made >>> several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. >>> Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. Or it >>> would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
>>> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually >>> could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later >>> during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my >>> number.
>>> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have >>> provided my phone number to various subcontractors which they >>> use for road works, issuing statements, receiving payments, >>> etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone number would be >>> erased from the subcontractor's systems.
>>> What the heck is all this about???
>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. >>> (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. >>> (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignores it. >>> (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
>>> Is there any action group to stop this happening? I guess >>> British Gas is probably not the only company doing this.
>> I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone >> number from their database should you request that they do so. >> I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) >> Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to do so.
> British Gas refuses to abide by those regulations. What reasonable > options are there which force them to comply?
> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue > or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter > through the courts?
> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from > British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers.
So just find the number of their head office (or their press office) and then ring the call center and say you need to update the details they hold for you - then give them the head office phone number.
Let them annoy themselves with marketing calls, No one else (i.e. you) gets annoyed and if anyone looks they simply think some call centre bod stupidly typed in the wrong number.
<r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote: >gasso wrote: >> On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>>> "gasso" <inva...@mail.com> wrote in message >>> news:Xns9CB27A9109F06F3QA2@newsfarm.ams2.highwinds-media.com... >>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. >>>> (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number >>>> (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it >>>> (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
>>>> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop >>>> practises like that by British Gas?
>>>> Here are the details:
>>>> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity >>>> verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen very >>>> smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it was >>>> needed as part of the identity verification.
>>>> "What's your name?" "John Smith" >>>> "What's your address" "99 The High Street" >>>> [ID verification is now complete] >>>> "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
>>>> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was >>>> happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to give >>>> my number for identity verification. This time, British Gas >>>> said "No" and that my number was requested in case there were >>>> emergency works in the area or something like that and I >>>> needed to be contacted.
>>>> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my >>>> phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
>>>> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made >>>> several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. >>>> Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. Or it >>>> would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
>>>> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually >>>> could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later >>>> during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my >>>> number.
>>>> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have >>>> provided my phone number to various subcontractors which they >>>> use for road works, issuing statements, receiving payments, >>>> etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone number would be >>>> erased from the subcontractor's systems.
>>>> What the heck is all this about???
>>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. >>>> (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. >>>> (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignores it. >>>> (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
>>>> Is there any action group to stop this happening? I guess >>>> British Gas is probably not the only company doing this. >>> I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone >>> number from their database should you request that they do so. >>> I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) >>> Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to do so.
>> British Gas refuses to abide by those regulations. What reasonable >> options are there which force them to comply?
>> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue >> or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter >> through the courts?
>> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from >> British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers.
>I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web >site to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did not >collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided it in >the belief it would be used for a different purpose.
I had a problem with a breach of the Data Protection Act a few years ago and contacted the Information Commissioner's website. They basically told me that I would have to take civil action, that they may be able to provide some assistance but it was not their job to take enforcement action to deal with beaches of the data protection rules.
In article <7kub0lF39b3n...@mid.individual.net>, George
Weston <geowes...@NOSPAMgooglemail.com> wrote: > I just wish they'd ring me and try to sell me some gas. > We're not on the gas mains in this village, so I'd > probably go along with their sales spiel and "switch" to > them, just for a laugh.
Like the time someone tried to sell me a conservatory.
He had the decency to laugh too when I told him I lived (at the time) in a first floor flat.
Scott wrote: > On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:17:31 +0000, Rupert Moss-Eccardt > <r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote:
>> gasso wrote: >>> On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
[snip]
>>> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue >>> or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter >>> through the courts?
>>> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from >>> British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers. >> I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web >> site to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did not >> collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided it in >> the belief it would be used for a different purpose.
> I had a problem with a breach of the Data Protection Act a few years > ago and contacted the Information Commissioner's website. They > basically told me that I would have to take civil action, that they > may be able to provide some assistance but it was not their job to > take enforcement action to deal with beaches of the data protection > rules.
Indeed. So, once the complaint is logged, you go to the County Court for a small amount, £5,000 say of damages and use the fasttrack process which can be mostly done online.
>> "gasso" <inva...@mail.com> wrote in message >> news:Xns9CB27A9109F06F3QA2@newsfarm.ams2.highwinds-media.com... >>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. >>> (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number >>> (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it >>> (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
>>> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop >>> practises like that by British Gas?
>>> Here are the details:
>>> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity >>> verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen very >>> smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it was >>> needed as part of the identity verification.
>>> "What's your name?" "John Smith" >>> "What's your address" "99 The High Street" >>> [ID verification is now complete] >>> "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
>>> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was >>> happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to give >>> my number for identity verification. This time, British Gas >>> said "No" and that my number was requested in case there were >>> emergency works in the area or something like that and I >>> needed to be contacted.
>>> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my >>> phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
>>> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made >>> several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. >>> Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. Or it >>> would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
>>> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually >>> could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later >>> during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have my >>> number.
>>> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have >>> provided my phone number to various subcontractors which they >>> use for road works, issuing statements, receiving payments, >>> etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone number would be >>> erased from the subcontractor's systems.
>>> What the heck is all this about???
>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. >>> (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. >>> (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignores it. >>> (4) I discover my number may now be with other subcontractors.
>>> Is there any action group to stop this happening? I guess >>> British Gas is probably not the only company doing this.
>> I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone >> number from their database should you request that they do so. >> I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) >> Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to do so.
> British Gas refuses to abide by those regulations. What reasonable > options are there which force them to comply?
> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue > or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter > through the courts?
This falls within the purview of the Information Commisioner. You can also complain to OFTEL, but all they do is include your complaint in a report and send it to the Information Commisioner.
> In article <7kub0lF39b3n...@mid.individual.net>, George > Weston <geowes...@NOSPAMgooglemail.com> wrote:
>> I just wish they'd ring me and try to sell me some gas. >> We're not on the gas mains in this village, so I'd >> probably go along with their sales spiel and "switch" to >> them, just for a laugh.
> Like the time someone tried to sell me a conservatory.
> He had the decency to laugh too when I told him I lived (at > the time) in a first floor flat.
A conservatory is at least feasible to a first floor flat (there is a splendid example not far from me). Now a fifteenth floor flat might get the designer scratching his head.
<r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote: >Scott wrote: >> On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:17:31 +0000, Rupert Moss-Eccardt >> <r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote:
>>> gasso wrote: >>>> On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>[snip]
>>>> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue >>>> or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter >>>> through the courts?
>>>> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from >>>> British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers. >>> I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web >>> site to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did not >>> collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided it in >>> the belief it would be used for a different purpose.
>> I had a problem with a breach of the Data Protection Act a few years >> ago and contacted the Information Commissioner's website. They >> basically told me that I would have to take civil action, that they >> may be able to provide some assistance but it was not their job to >> take enforcement action to deal with beaches of the data protection >> rules.
>Indeed. So, once the complaint is logged, you go to the County Court for >a small amount, £5,000 say of damages and use the fasttrack process >which can be mostly done online.
And how do you quantify a loss? Would it not be an action for specific implement (or whatever it is called in England)?
> On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:40 gasso <inva...@mail.com> wrote: >> On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>>> "gasso" <inva...@mail.com> wrote in message >>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. >>>> (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my >>>> number (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually >>>> remove it (4) I find my number may be with other >>>> subcontractors.
>>>> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop >>>> practises like that by British Gas?
>>>> Here are the details:
>>>> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity >>>> verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen very >>>> smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it was >>>> needed as part of the identity verification.
>>>> "What's your name?" "John Smith" >>>> "What's your address" "99 The High Street" >>>> [ID verification is now complete] >>>> "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
>>>> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was >>>> happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to >>>> give my number for identity verification. This time, British >>>> Gas said "No" and that my number was requested in case there >>>> were emergency works in the area or something like that and >>>> I needed to be contacted.
>>>> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my >>>> phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
>>>> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made >>>> several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write in. >>>> Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. Or it >>>> would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
>>>> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually >>>> could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later >>>> during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have >>>> my number.
>>>> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have >>>> provided my phone number to various subcontractors which >>>> they use for road works, issuing statements, receiving >>>> payments, etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone >>>> number would be erased from the subcontractor's systems.
>>>> What the heck is all this about???
>>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. >>>> (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. >>>> (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignores it. >>>> (4) I discover my number may now be with other >>>> subcontractors.
>>>> Is there any action group to stop this happening? I guess >>>> British Gas is probably not the only company doing this.
>>> I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone >>> number from their database should you request that they do >>> so. I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC >>> Directive) Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to >>> do so.
>> British Gas refuses to abide by those regulations. What >> reasonable options are there which force them to comply?
>> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will >> pursue or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase >> this matter through the courts?
>> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience >> from British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy >> customers.
> So just find the number of their head office (or their press > office) and then ring the call center and say you need to > update the details they hold for you - then give them the head > office phone number.
> Let them annoy themselves with marketing calls, No one else > (i.e. you) gets annoyed and if anyone looks they simply think > some call centre bod stupidly typed in the wrong number.
> Job done!
I like it. :)
They probably keep a history of all the numbers you ever gave them.
> On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:17:31 +0000, Rupert Moss-Eccardt > <r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote:
>>gasso wrote: >>> On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>>>> "gasso" <inva...@mail.com> wrote in message >>>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. >>>>> (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my >>>>> number (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually >>>>> remove it (4) I find my number may be with other >>>>> subcontractors.
>>>>> Is there an action group anywhere which is trying to stop >>>>> practises like that by British Gas?
>>>>> Here are the details:
>>>>> I once rang British Gas and they ended my identity >>>>> verification by asking for my phone number. It was doen >>>>> very smoothly and I provided my number because I thought it >>>>> was needed as part of the identity verification.
>>>>> "What's your name?" "John Smith" >>>>> "What's your address" "99 The High Street" >>>>> [ID verification is now complete] >>>>> "What's your phone number?" "020 7777 0000"
>>>>> On a subsequent call to British Gas I noticed what was >>>>> happening and questioned if it was actually necessary to >>>>> give my number for identity verification. This time, >>>>> British Gas said "No" and that my number was requested in >>>>> case there were emergency works in the area or something >>>>> like that and I needed to be contacted.
>>>>> I didn't feel that was a good reason to let British have my >>>>> phone number on file so I asked for it to be removed.
>>>>> All sorts of obstacles were then put in the way. I made >>>>> several calls and was told: it wasn't possible. Or write >>>>> in. Or it had to wait until I had received the next bill. >>>>> Or it would take 10 weeks. Etc. Etc.
>>>>> Eventually I got through to someone who said they actually >>>>> could remove my number and I was happy. A few months later >>>>> during a call to British Gas, I find British Gas still have >>>>> my number.
>>>>> From the conversation with them it appears BG may have >>>>> provided my phone number to various subcontractors which >>>>> they use for road works, issuing statements, receiving >>>>> payments, etc. British Gas couldn't be certain my phone >>>>> number would be erased from the subcontractor's systems.
>>>>> What the heck is all this about???
>>>>> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a very sneaky way. >>>>> (2) They make it hard for me to remove my number. >>>>> (3) Someone accepts my removal request but then ignores it. >>>>> (4) I discover my number may now be with other >>>>> subcontractors.
>>>>> Is there any action group to stop this happening? I guess >>>>> British Gas is probably not the only company doing this. >>>> I understand that an organisation *must* remove your phone >>>> number from their database should you request that they do >>>> so. I believe that under the Privacy and Electronic (EC >>>> Directive) Regulations 2003, it is a specific offence not to >>>> do so.
>>> British Gas refuses to abide by those regulations. What >>> reasonable options are there which force them to comply?
>>> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will >>> pursue or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase >>> this matter through the courts?
>>> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience >>> from British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy >>> customers.
>>I would use the complaint form on the Information >>Commissioner's web site to complain about a Data Protection Act >>breach in that they did not collect the telephone number >>'fairly' and certainly you provided it in the belief it would >>be used for a different purpose.
> I had a problem with a breach of the Data Protection Act a few > years ago and contacted the Information Commissioner's website. > They basically told me that I would have to take civil action, > that they may be able to provide some assistance but it was not > their job to take enforcement action to deal with beaches of > the data protection rules.
I thought the Info Commissioner took up cases and (after some time) would write to the offender pointing out what was wrong. Don't they escalate it beyond that?
<r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote: >Scott wrote: >> On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:17:31 +0000, Rupert Moss-Eccardt >> <r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote:
>>> gasso wrote: >>>> On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>[snip]
>>>> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue >>>> or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter >>>> through the courts?
>>>> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from >>>> British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers. >>> I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web >>> site to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did not >>> collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided it in >>> the belief it would be used for a different purpose.
>> I had a problem with a breach of the Data Protection Act a few years >> ago and contacted the Information Commissioner's website. They >> basically told me that I would have to take civil action, that they >> may be able to provide some assistance but it was not their job to >> take enforcement action to deal with beaches of the data protection >> rules.
>Indeed. So, once the complaint is logged, you go to the County Court for >a small amount, £5,000 say of damages and use the fasttrack process >which can be mostly done online.
I think that this is incorrect.
You must be able to demonstrate that you are recovering money genuinely lost or costs you have incurred.
I suspect that he will not be able to justify £5,000 of damages
> On Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:56:07 +0000, Rupert Moss-Eccardt > <r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote:
>>Scott wrote: >>> On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:17:31 +0000, Rupert Moss-Eccardt >>> <r.moss-ecca...@computer.org> wrote:
>>>> gasso wrote: >>>>> On 11:24 28 Oct 2009, Bob Ferguson wrote:
>>[snip]
>>>>> Is the offence you refer to one which an official body will pursue >>>>> or is it left to the individual to (improbably) chase this matter >>>>> through the courts?
>>>>> I'm sure I not the only person who has had this experience from >>>>> British Gas; there must be a growing pool of unhappy customers. >>>> I would use the complaint form on the Information Commissioner's web >>>> site to complain about a Data Protection Act breach in that they did >>>> not collect the telephone number 'fairly' and certainly you provided >>>> it in the belief it would be used for a different purpose.
>>> I had a problem with a breach of the Data Protection Act a few years >>> ago and contacted the Information Commissioner's website. They >>> basically told me that I would have to take civil action, that they >>> may be able to provide some assistance but it was not their job to >>> take enforcement action to deal with beaches of the data protection >>> rules.
>>Indeed. So, once the complaint is logged, you go to the County Court for >>a small amount, £5,000 say of damages and use the fasttrack process >>which can be mostly done online.
> I think that this is incorrect.
> You must be able to demonstrate that you are recovering money genuinely > lost or costs you have incurred.
> I suspect that he will not be able to justify £5,000 of damages
From my experience of suing spamming ISP's and individuals in the UK, I find that the district recorder will usually wear £95 per hour (or part thereof) for dealing with companies. If there are additional costs (such as having to change a phone number or provider) these would be legitimate.
On the other hand, if some random idiot tried to take British Gas through the small claims process claiming £5 in compensation, it's most likely the case would be defended {by a good BG solicitor acting on behalf of the defendant) who would probably knock six barrels of shit out of the claim and walk away with the PLAINTIFF being told to pay the costs.
-- political correctness: The safety net protecting deaf blind disabled ethnic minority gays & lesbians with odd religious beliefs from reality
"gasso" wrote: > (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way.
Don't forget that up until a few years ago BG was also a telecomms supplier, OneTel, IIRC. As a telecomms supplier they had the technology to reveal any WITHHELD numbers, so no privacy there.
Has BG clung-on to that technology at it's callcentres or did OFCOM require it to be dismantled ?
> "gasso" wrote: >> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way.
> Don't forget that up until a few years ago BG was also > a telecomms supplier, OneTel, IIRC. > As a telecomms supplier they had the technology to reveal > any WITHHELD numbers, so no privacy there.
> Has BG clung-on to that technology at it's callcentres > or did OFCOM require it to be dismantled ?
Well, if BG did own Onetel (did they?), they (or whoever owned it) eventually sold the company lock, stock and barrel to Carphone Warehouse, who merged it into Talk Talk. So Carphone Warehouse would have a strong case for suing the previous owners if they kept any stuff back that they should have sold on.
In uk.telecom Russell Hafter News <see....@walkingingermany.invalid> wrote:
> In article <7kub0lF39b3n...@mid.individual.net>, George > Weston <geowes...@NOSPAMgooglemail.com> wrote:
>> I just wish they'd ring me and try to sell me some gas. >> We're not on the gas mains in this village, so I'd >> probably go along with their sales spiel and "switch" to >> them, just for a laugh.
> Like the time someone tried to sell me a conservatory.
> He had the decency to laugh too when I told him I lived (at > the time) in a first floor flat.
Not as good as a guy I know was sent a letter saying he was in a prize draw to win a car. Which started "What would you think about this car being parked outside the front door of <address>?" Since he lived on the 20th storey of a tower block and the car wasn't a DeLorian (younger readers might expect a Ford Anglia) he said he'd be very suprised.
> "gasso" wrote: >> (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way.
> Don't forget that up until a few years ago BG was also > a telecomms supplier, OneTel, IIRC. > As a telecomms supplier they had the technology to reveal > any WITHHELD numbers, so no privacy there.
Not necessarily BG, but if ever you phone 0800 (or other free numbers) any 'witheld' number is always revealed to the called party. After all, they are paying for the call.
gasso wrote: > (1) British Gas obtains my number in a sneaky way. > (2) They make it hard for me to request a removal of my number > (3) When I manage to request it, they don't actually remove it > (4) I find my number may be with other subcontractors.
Fairly simple. Write (assuming no postal strike!) using Recorded or Special Delivery to British Gas (if you can find an address for Head Office or for the Data Protection Officer, so much the better) requesting (under the terms of the Data Protection Act) that they do not process your personal details (which is name, address & tel no) for the purposes of direct marketing. Also state quite clearly that they do not pass your details on to third parties. Also note that this request applies to related & subsidiary companies.
If they continue to phone you for marketing purposes, then complain to ICO.
Getting your details completely removed from BG's records might take a bit more work. ICO should be able to advise.
I suppose it's possible BG may have a reasonable excuse to retain your details "for safety purposes", but if they try to use your details for marketing, they will find themselves answering to ICO once you've written asking them not to.
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