Is this a GDPR breach?

[CocoapuffPuff]

I've been fighting with Thames Water and various debt collection agencies now for about 6 years. They're calling my mobile phone number to chase a debt. The debt isn't mine and the person they think they are calling isn't on that number, I am. I'm not Katie Ellis but I wish I knew her, as her lights need punching out.

Somewhere down the line, some skank gave them a random phone number that just happened to be mine, and now I'm regularly called by debt collectors for her debt.

They say they can't take my number off her account as I can't give them the account number. Of course I bloody can't. I'm not the person they're pursuing!!!

Anyway, I've escalated it to a formal complaint, having spoken to CCW this morning, as I'm concerned that my telephone number is tied to a bad debt.

I'm curious as to whether Thames Water has breached GDPR by passing a phone number that they KNOW doesn't belong to their debtor (as I've told them this, repeatedly, for years now) to debt collectors.

Anyone any idea? I've mentioned it in my complaint but I'm no wiser, now I've looked at the legislation, as to whether it's a breach or not. I'm not smart enough to work it out. Any legal minds know?

Thank you. I've C&P this so I have it ready for next time.

Oh flip, that article is scary, but no, they've no idea of my name or address. I mean, Thames Water do now as I've told them this as part of my ID in my complaint. This was done on advice from CCW (who I spoke to first, and who have registered my complaint already). The debt itself is registered to Katie Ellis, it's just the phone number linked to her name in TW's files is mine.

What a mess.

I would just change your number and do a call forward for a while so your clients know. On the other hand we still get debt letter for the previous owner of our house I just return them with a copy of the sale and they stop chasing

I wouldn't worry too much about giving your name and address. The worst that can happen is that either you end up with the bad debt associated with you, or you get the debt collectors chasing you.

In either instance there are several ways to sort it, all variations on the same theme. You have had no bill presented to you for a property you have ever occupied, and so it cannot be your debt. If that fails, I've found a response of "fine, let's go to court and see what a magistrate makes of you pursuing me for a debt clearly belonging to someone else, whereupon I will be charging you for my time at £500 per hour wasted".

That usually does the trick.

Thanks Happiest. The debt collector is now texting me. I realise it's an automated thing but fuck me, it's irritating. I may just call them back and give them an earfull.

I'd probably be tempted to invite them to take you to court every time they ring. They will have heard every excuse under the sun, which is why you are getting no traction from debt collectors. Thames Water are the only ones who can really cancel it.

I just answered the phone to them and spoke to a young woman, who was nice and helpful.
Surprisingly they accepted me on my word that I wasn't Ms Ellis, that I didn't know her and that it wasn't my debt with Thames Water, that I've lived in Scotland all my life and that they needed to remove my number from her acocunt and to stop harrassing me. My number is no longer on her account, according to the lass I spoke to.
That was almost too easy. I'm not going to hold my breath but that was a LOT easier than the last debt collector who just would not accept that I wasn't the debtor.

Exactly this!