Why do I need to give my data to Transunion in order to get a testing kit??

[OopsUpsideYourBed]

I can't drive, so want to get a CV home testing kit. I have a mild sore throat and occasional cough so 111 site told me to get tested.

But the only way to get a home test is to allow TransUnion, a US-based credit check company, to 'verify' my identity by having my data. I've already provided my NI number (which was good enough an identity check for the government to give me a self employed grant).

A quick wiki check shows that TransUnion were fined $60million for accidentally putting some of their customers onto a US terrorism list. Oopsy.

I'm not happy that I'm going to have to give them my details in order to do the right thing and get a test. It seems dodgy. They don't say what details they'll have, how long they'll store them etc..

That does sound weird.

Can you phone to get one? They wouldn't verify my identity online after I'd given the ok to check. When I rang up to get one, nothing was mentioned about data sharing or ID confirmation.

03003032713 was the number I called.

Hope that's an acceptable workaround; I'm wishing I hadn't clicked the ok to verify me in the first place now.

Thank you, I'll try the number!

I tried the number, but unfortunately, they still pass data to Transunion. I spoke to someone there and he had no idea what data they keep, how it's stored, where or anything about what they do with it.

He went to ask a manager for clarification of what data is harvested and what's done with it, but all he could come back with was "It's purely to prevent fraud." No mention of what data, how used, where stored.

Oddly, when you're being passed through to a person the recording says "All information you give will remain confidential" but that's obviously not the case as they run it over to TransUnion.

I don't know if I'm being foolishly paranoid or what... I just can't see how my NI number isn't enough to verify me.

They will also have your DNA, I done a test and didn't think of this until I seen someone mention it on SM.

Nooo I now have a fever so I'm going to have to sell my soul (data) to flipping Cummings and crew so I can get a sodding test.