In a message dated 12/10/05 12:06:42 GMT Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> I don't think the issues are the same. There has been no bailiff, the
> parents have made contact of their own accord, and the organisation has lost
> contact with the debtor.
-----------
How can they not be the same? The bailiffs disclosed on behalf of the
council, the data subject had done a bunk, the parents then told the DS next time
they had contact that the bill had been paid. How did the parents get to know
money was owed? How did they know how much to pay? Of course the issues are
the same, the only difference is that at the moment the Uni is collecting its
own debts instead of using a data processor.
I remember another case where a mother contacted a council and asked why her
daughter had not been moved from the (too small) house she was renting, only
to be told the reason was the rent arrears. On offering to pay, she was told
the amount, whereupon she stormed out saying she couldn't afford to pay such a
large sum. She went to see her daughter and an argument broke out and the
daughter complained to the IC about the disclosure. The council was told in no
uncertain terms the disclosure should not have taken place and they promised to
re-train the appropriate staff.
It seems to me the IC responds in whatever direction the first contact wants
it to. it runs with the hare or chases with the hounds, depending on where it
is invited to join the proceedings. I may be wrong, I may be cynical, but if
I am, it's not my fault. But having read the IC's response to the enquiry I
would say there should be no problems now that they have obviously changed
priorities with a change of leadership.
I have no idea whether my son has any debts (whether owed to the universities
he attended or anywhere else) and no intention of trying to find out. If he
wants me to know, he'll tell me. If the organisations were to attempt to tell
me, I would have no hesitation in telling them where to stick their bills.
No easy task, even for a duck.
In the cases I mentoned, none of the individuals was trying to "hide behind"
the DPA. The debts were still theirs, and theirs alone. By the way, for the
sake of accuracy, the quote ends "a ass" not "an ass".
Ian B (not short for Bumble)
Ian Buckland
Keep I.T. Legal Ltd
(Reg: 3822335)
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