To hope he's bluffing

[worriedaboutt]

I've been losing sleep over this so I'll jump right in and ask: is it possible for an employee at the council to snoop at someone's details (ie, address, workplace, benefits claimed, NI number, salary ect)? I know it's not ethical and probably breaks codes of conduct, but is it possible?
My ex who I finally disentangled myself from 7 years ago has gleefully messaged me that his brother's job has allowed him access to all my personal details and that he will 'have fun fucking my life up'. I don't want to give this person headspace, but I don't like the idea that he could turn up where I live, or meddle in my life. I feel sick.

Ugh what a bastard. Definitely report to the police and the council and nip this in the bud.

As to what he could do with the info, I'm guessing he could take out loans or credit cards in the OP's name and run up huge debts?

If I were you, I would respond saying ‘I’ve taken a screenshot of your message. I’ve already contacted the police and the Council. Tell your brother to expect contact in the next day or so.’

Then I’d block his number.

You don’t have kids together? You should’ve blocked him 7 years ago. Don’t wait another day.

Yes, technically it could be looked up depending on the person’s job etc, but it would also be a case of instant dismissal if he was to be found out. I would contact both the police and also his brother’s employer.

Personally I wouldn’t have thought a council employee could find out that much about , yeah you will be in the electoral roll but as for ni number and wage nah he’s being a twat.
However he is using threats and intimidation and that is definitely worth a visit to the police . Don’t let him get to you x

Oh wow, thank you for all these replies.
I was hoping the answer would be, 'no'. I really don't know what to do now. I should've said that the brother has previously been sentenced for committing fraud at one of his old jobs, and tended to do what my ex told him to do. All this was years ago now and maybe he's changed? He's providing for a child of his own now so that might put him off getting himself into trouble.
I don't know how to play it. I don't want to engage with these people. If I report and the brother loses his job, it will be directly because of me and my life will be hell again.

The brother won't lose his job unless he accesses your details for non work related reasons. Which would be directly because of him, not you.
Please do report your ex's threat to the police.

Yes I have a DD with him. I tried endlessly in the past for them to have some sort of relationship but he wasn't interested. The only time he makes contact is to give me abuse. I go for long periods of not hearing a peep, then he will pop up with a gem like this.

If hie brother loses his job, it will be sirectly because of him. If you wanted to be charitable, you could contact ex-BIL to “warn” him about what your ex is spouting.

Please, police and council he works for.

If he does have access to people's details, then goodness knows what he might do with yours.

And yes, there is an audit trail and if he has done, it will be clear, but if you don't tell them, they won't know to look.

Do you know what the brothers job is at the council as that will affect what information his is able to view If any. ?

I've messaged the brother on Facebook
'Hello, sorry to bother you but thought I would let you now that name has said that you've been able to use your job to look into info about me? I think I'm going to have to involve the police about him making threats'

I would say nothing to any of them and just report it

Ive just re read your last update
If he has been convicted of fraud previously I doubt he would have been employed into a role where he has acsess to personal information most councils do a crb check. However I would contact the council's data protection team asap

If the brother has previously been convicted of fraud I'd be surprised if he has a job where he could access personal information. Wouldn't he have to disclose that if applying for a council job? Anyway, I think pps advice to report is really the best thing you can do here, leave the appropriate people to look into it.

I'd also block your ex, what's the point in allowing him contact like this when as you say he doesn't have a relationship with your child.

I would have said nothing if I was you. Just contact the police regarding the treats and contact the council, (phone them first asking to speak to someone regarding a complaint against an employee who is accessing personal information of customers and giving it out). You don't have to say 'I think my ex may be lying', just you've been sent these texts, they will be able to investigate and audit it from there end, to see if this is the case or not.
I'm highly surprised that someone who's been done for fraud got a job with the local authority.

Yes, depending on what brother does, he could have access. However, he would be very stupid to do that and could even end up in prison if he does. It is very, very serious and his brother will have had that drummed into him from the start. Access to records will probably be logged.

Report the threats to the police and to the council. Keep screen shots, don't engage with either of them and block his number.

You shouldn't have contacted brother ut it's done now. Still report it.

I'd report him too, show him he can't walk over you

You need to report it to his employer and the police.

He will not be losing his job because of you, he will be losing his job because of his own unprofessional and unethical behaviour. If he's previously used information fraudulently, then it's more than likely he will do it again and probably to others as well as yourself. You need to do this to protect yourself and others. You can make a report to the council anonymously if you preferred. A tip off would be sufficient for them to investigate his usage and then the evidence speaks for itself.

I was a complete idiot to send that message. I misjudged it, I thought he might completely deny it and then I'd have apologised and said 'I didn't think so I was just checking as I was worried'.
But he's taken like I'm the one threatening him now. He's replied '😂😂😂 go ahead if you want reporting for benefit fraud now fuck off' and blocked me.

Shame you messaged the brother. Fortunately he won't be able to delete his traces.

He will deny it of course, nothing else he can do. Please still report this.

Only 2 things you should do. Block that ex of yours and report this to his brother's employer.
I think contacting the brother was a bad move. You're just entering into your exes game.

I'm going to have to report it officially now. If he's going to report me maliciously for benefit fraud, it will probably help my case if they know the reason why it's happened. I can't believe this. I'm going to be dealing with a massive fallout though.

Go to the council with that too. He's just used his position to threaten you.

Police for the whole thing.

I'd take the fb messages and the one from your ex and go to the council and police. Make sure the council know that he plans to wrongfully report you for benefit fraud.

You need to take charge and make sure they know that you arent taking their shit anymore.