I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

[Skally]

They were strewn about the back of a street possibly from a binbag that was torn open.
The paperwork consists of forms containing names, addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth & national insurance numbers.
Among these forms are scraps of paper with hand-written notes detailing credit/debit card details (including start dates, end dates, security numbers) and the total payments I presume are to be taken from each card.
Isn't this dumping of confidential information in breach of the Data Protection Act? Obviously I don't intend to use any of this for identity theft and I only took them out of the back lane so no-one could use the details maliciously. I just didn't know whether I should hand them in to the police, the bailiff himself (they letters have his signature & mobile number), the company that the bailiff works for, or the council for whom the bailiffs are recovering council tax.
Also, am I likely to be prosecuted for having them in my possession right now? What about the bailiff whose name is signed at the bottom of the papers, will he be prosecuted too?
Any sound, practical advice is greatly appreciated!

[Guest]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

HI
I would contact the police, and tell them what you have written here, just tell them you are concerned that this stuff could get into the wrong hands.

I would probably also ring the local news paper and ask them if they wanted a breach of data protection story, but i don't like bailiffs.

Peter

[cards down]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

I also think a call to the local press wouldn't go amiss. I'm sure a few who had been unfortunate enough to cross paths with these people would enjoy the read. Its very lucky the information didn't fall into the wrong hands.

[miliitant]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

get the local press to photograph before giving it to the old bill

they will be more than happy to run with a baliff story

[labman]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

Before you do anything, I would phone the ICO (they're responsible for policing the Data Protection Act) on 0303 123 1313 and tell them what you have found. This could, and should get the bailiff and the bailiff company in serious trouble. You have nothing whatsoever to worry about, you are just being honest. They will advise you as to the best way forward.

It may well be they suggest the police, but please give them first pick of the cherry as it is a major breach of the act, it will be against all guidelines for disposing of confidential information and the person accountable should face the consequences. They are probably still out there disposing of things in the same way and next time it may not be picked up by someone as honest as you.

Definitely ICO first and be guided by them.

[messimoo]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

wonder why it was dumped by the bailiff ????? how curious

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

i would suggest a call to the press (you need the editors office), then the OFT and pass on the baillif's details, then contact your friendly neighbourhood bobby and pass the details on.

I will check with mum about who in the papers to contact but im sure its the Editoral office you need!

[Skally]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

Ooh, hadn't thought of giving it media attention! I was going to contact one of the people directly to tell them what had happened to their information, but thought better of it seeing as neither of us would know or trust who we were talking to!

"Scuse me, mate. I have enough information about you to book a holiday at your expense. But I'm not gonna. Honest."

Yeah, I wouldn't believe me either!

[labman]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

This should be dealt with by the ICO. We should not be after a sensationalist story, we should be after justice being done to the bailiff and his company.

[bluebottle]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

This incident needs to be reported to the ICO immediately. What you have come across is a serious breach of the Data Protection Act 1997 (DPA). Please can I assure you that you will not be prosecuted for finding what you have. The ICO website is at www.ico.gov.uk. Ring their helpline. Please be aware that it gets busy at times. As of 6 April 2010, the ICO can fine data users up to £500,000. ICO has already fined a local authority £160,000 for breaching the DPA. Whatever you do, do not go to the press with what you have found - at least not yet. If the ICO are going to fine the bailiff company and the local authority involved, the last thing they need is the local press tipping them off. As for the bailiff..? Picture the sight of someone kicking his/her backside along the lane where you found what you have.

As for contacting the OFT, when you speak to the ICO, ask if they would like you to contact the OFT. It is quite likely they will liaise with the relevant department within the OFT as regards any enforcement action.

Well done and let's hope this is one less bailiff and one less bailiff company people have to deal with.

[Skally]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

As for the bailiff..? Picture the sight of someone kicking his/her backside along the lane where you found what you have.

That's EXACTLY what I'd like to see happen! I'd hate ANYONE to have half the info on me that he seems to have dumped in the bin! Glad to know I'm unlikely to be done for carrying out my civic duty - thanks all for putting my mind at ease!

[Guest]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

Yes you have ot involve the bobbies, i think we are talking criminal negligence(bluebottle?).

Nothing wrong with a bit of publicity though, just to make sure the indecent doesn't just go quietly away. This may just be my twisted perspective of course.

Peter

[Sparkie1723]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

I agree 100% with Bluebottle and labman...its is the ICO first port of call...........if it is required the ICO will involve the police .....The Nat West were heavily hit by the ICO for dumping INFO in the waste bins outside a Nat West branch .....PHONE the ICO and ask for the enforcements section.

Read SEction 55 of the DPA

Sparkie

[cards down]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

This should be dealt with by the ICO. We should not be after a sensationalist story, we should be after justice being done to the bailiff and his company.

That way the nationals may even run the story

[Guest]

Re: I've found paperwork dumped by a bailiff!

Sorry post crossed with BB, yes by all means ring the ICO, be interested to know what they say.

Peter