Personal data stolen what to do

[lorisparkle]

So through no fault of my own a stranger has acquired my personal data including name, d.o.b, address, NHS number. It is thought they were acquired accidentally with no malice intended but they are still in the hands of a stranger. This has been reported to police. Stranger is well known to police but they can not find them.

So what can I do to prevent any problems. Any ideas very very welcome.

There is not much they can do with just your name, dob and nhs number as far as fraud is concerned. How have they obtained the information? Whoever released it should be assisting.

Do you mean they have your NHS/GP registration card?

They can't really do any harm with it, why do you think it's a police matter?

OP - What exactly are you worried about this person doing with that information??

From my understanding with your name, address and d.o.b they can create another 'you' and then open accounts etc in your name. They could also register with a different gp in my name with my nhs number.

Plenty of people have their name, address and DOB "out there" - on Companies House website for example. You're hugely overreacting.

They'd need extra Id to register - we had to show passports. Ditto to open bank accounts. Someone's name, address and dob are very easy to come by - a couple of quid to 192.com and you can get them for everyone at an address.

The NHS info would be available if they just looked at your maternity notes (pretty sure I had a sheet of labels tucked into mine with all that on) while you were holding them for instance, it's not highly secure information.

Guessing mis delivered NHS letter - I've seen a couple of these where the postman has put it through the wrong door. I add that I put them back in a postbox unopened!

BTW to avoid 192, make sure you opt out of the edited electoral register when the form comes.

OP, go onto the ActionFraud website and look at advice on identity theft. It will tell you want you can do.

That really isn't a great deal of your personal information - to open a bank account for example they would need 2 forms of ID so unless they've also acquired your passport and council tax bill you don't really need to worry!

From my understanding with your name, address and d.o.b they can create another 'you' and then open accounts etc in your name. They could also register with a different gp in my name with my nhs number
You need a lot more than that information to open accounts.

Why would anybody want to register as you at another GP surgery?

Unless the person had the same kind of medical history as you, it would be obvious that something was wrong ad soon as your medical records were compared with the fraudster patient.

ID theft is a worry today but you are fine and there is no need to worry over one NHS letter.

So through no fault of my own a stranger has acquired my personal data including name, d.o.b, address, NHS number. It is thought they were acquired accidentally with no malice intended but they are still in the hands of a stranger.

When you say "accidentally" how did they get them?

It maybe that if it was due to an error by a data holder that you have a claim under the Data Protection Act against those who disclosed this info to a stranger. You maybe entitled to damages for upset and distress. You could also complain to the information commissioner. People who have data have an obligation to keep it safe and securely.

Beyond that more practically, if your concern is the NHS number - which sounds the key thing here - I would contact NHS, explain the issue and ask for a new number. They may help they may not.

If you get any evidence about the person using your info, you could always apply to court for an injunction stopping them using it and if they carry on, get them committed to prison.

Thanks, we are going to complain about the way my personal data was handled as it should not have been picked up so easily. We have now been reassured about its 'journey ' and the original form has been returned to its rightful place. Perhaps my concern was heightened by all the information on the internet about how that amount of data could be used but we have been recommended a service that ensures extra checks are completed when applications are made to financial services and the cost of this will be reimbursed by the data holder.