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Feeling freaked out & vulnerable. Am I right in thinking this is a Data Protection Breach???

8 replies

NotMyNameButHereForever · 30/06/2020 12:27

I'm feeling quite angry and, if honest, a little intimidated so would appreciate any advice from anyone that knows more about this than me. I'm currently very ill, suffering hugely, and have very little energy or capacity even for vital calls (context, I can't even hold phone so have it facing me on speaker iyswim).

Yesterday, I called a very large minicab company (the kind that recognises your number and auto asks if you want a car to your house now or to speak to someone, IE they have ALL my details on their system) that I've previously used a lot before ill, including for telly work, to enquire about a car for a return trip to hospital to Home Counties in London this afternoon. I explained I was in a lot of pain and very nauseous so was asking how much an exec car would be (& what their definition of an 'exec car' was as aware varies by firm). Price was eye watering and I said I'd think about it, shop around, and get back to them if wanted to book it.

For next few hours I was caught up in many exhausting (see above:/) and stressful emergency medical calls regarding the (unbelievably complex) arrangements for today and also to get stronger pain relief to be able to travel, so many calls back and forth. In the middle of one call another call came in which I presumed to be from another Doctor relevant to said complexities. I couldn't take the call as had to finish the one I was on but was super stressed as knew it was likely to be an important one and wasn't sure I'd be able to catch them when called back given how stretched they all are.

Within minutes - and whilst still on the call - texts from the missed call number started flying in. The first one was 'Hi good evening how are you'; the second was 'One of my friend give me your number'; third was 'call me when you will be'. Apart from being hugely distracting from what I was trying to discuss, was completely freaked out as keep my number very private (have previously had a stalker and when well enough to work part of what I do is am a telly presenter, a combo that has already led to 2 restraining orders).

Final text was 'I have a Mercedes Benz e class 2018 color black', which was followed by another call and by then 2 voicemails which I picked up after finished medical calls, one including my name and address. Then realised it was an individual - so NOT the firm I'd called/used before but someone the Controller I'd spoken to had passed my details on to Shock. Was and remain stunned, also freaked out (see above re private number and experience of stalkers, combo of which has left me feeling hugely vulnerable, esp since live alone and don't know this man from Adam).

Surely they (the - big - minicab firm) can't do this? Am I right to presume it's a data protection breach and if so, what are the remedies?

Sorry long post but didn't want to drip feed and I am genuinely really freaked out. Any advice be much appreciated. Flowers

OP posts:
VelociraptorRex · 30/06/2020 12:46

I'm not an expert, but I've had a stalker too and I'd be a bit concerned. I think you need to speak to a manager at the car firm, maybe check online to see if they have a complaints policy? If it's an individual then it does sound like a massive breach. Save the messages if you can and screen shot anything, if you feel up to it write out some notes or save this post, and report it to the car company in the first instance. Oh and block the number! Are you on your own at the moment or do you have someone to keep an eye out for anything odd?
I hope you feel better soon Thanks

Mintjulia · 30/06/2020 12:55

It is a data protection breach if two data points, eg your name and your personal mobile phone number are handed to a third party without your consent.

However if this is a taxi company you usually speak to related to your job, and they think the number is a work number, it is not so clear.

The person calling is offering the service that you originally asked for, and presumable the information was handed from one taxi driver to another to ensure you had the service you needed, available at the time you needed it. It's quite a common practice.

If you aren't happy, just call the original company and tell them not to hand on your details in future.

FlameFartingDragon · 30/06/2020 13:01

Yes, it's a breech as they had passed on your name, address and phone number.

Do you know how to report it?

lemonsandlimes123 · 30/06/2020 13:01

My guess is that the taxi firm has self employed drivers who they use and they have passed the job on to one of these drivers. I am presuming that you are very unwell at the moment and that is clouding your judgement as your reaction does not seem to be proportionate to what has happened.

FlameFartingDragon · 30/06/2020 13:02

It's a breech if they numbers have been passed on outside of the organisation - ie. another person/company.

Sweetmotherofallthatisholyabov · 30/06/2020 13:04

Yeah I'd be annoyed. If you had booked the car and they'd passed it onto a third party to fulfil that would be one thing but you didn't book anything so they have no reason to give your number to anyone.

CoveredInBeeeees · 30/06/2020 13:18

If you had booked the car and they'd passed it onto a third party to fulfil that would be one thing but you didn't book anything so they have no reason to give your number to anyone.

This

Cherrysoup · 30/06/2020 13:33

Phone the original firm and go NUTS! 🤬

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