Hello, I'm just looking for some advice about an incident that happened with northern rail. I have just moved to the area and was travelling from my local station to Manchester Victoria for the first time. I tried to buy a ticket at the machine however it kept on saying that were no fares available for my journey which completely confused me. Anyway, I was going to buy a ticket at the manned office however the queue was huge and there were only a couple of mins until my train so I just thought I'd get on the train and buy a ticket from the conductor. The train was slightly delayed which meant that I was going to be late for work. Also, the conductor didn't come around meaning I couldn't buy a ticket and as I got off there were people checking everyone's tickets. As I was in such a rush and panicked because I hate being late, I stupidly just flashed an old ticket that I had in my purse and I got pulled up by the revenue protection officer. He took my details and said that northern rail would write to me and he said that they would either let me off or they might charge me. Anyway, I've been scaring myself to death reading forums and things like £1000 fines and prosecution have popped up?! I've been frequently using trains for over 8 years and I have never done anything like this before. I have hundreds of tickets to prove that I always buy a ticket. The same guy also saw me doing the same journey today with a ticket. It was just a stupid mistake because I was in a rush, panicked and was unaware that nobody would come around on the train giving me the opportunity to buy a ticket. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I am renting a flat under Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. I am not sure my deposit is protected by the landlord. I asked my agent for the same but got no response. I read some where that I can take the landlord to the court. I would like to know whether it is possible to file a case in the court while my tenancy has not ended yet? Thanks

Nine million private tenants in the UK could be given extra protection from landlords who try to evict them. The government has decided to back a private member's bill, which would make it illegal to evict tenants who make justifiable complaints. It would mean that people who complain about faulty boilers, leaky roofs or dangerous electrical items would no longer have to fear eviction. However it is uncertain whether it will become law before next year's election. Nevertheless the news was welcomed by campaign groups, including Shelter and Crisis. According to Shelter, more than 200,000 people suffered from so-called "revenge" evictions last year. The government said it would back the private member's bill from Sarah Teather, a Liberal Democrat MP, providing it only targets bad landlords - and does not stop legitimate evictions. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29156186

Hi, This is my first post so if I've put this on the wrong place please accept my apologies, I am having trouble trying to find a way to post on other threads I am looking for some advice please, my friend received a letter through his door today (hand delivered) I picked it up as I was letting his digs out, who had already had a go at the envelope - anyway I digress. I looked at the remains of the letter and it was from Phoenix Commercial Collection advising that they were coming to collect goods, because I know my friend so well I thought I'd try and help sort this mess out, and the only reason I did was because they have been trying really hard to address their debt. I called the number on the letter and got through an awful bailiff with such a bad attitude. I explained I had read this letter that was sent to my friend but instead of saying he couldn't discuss the account because I was not the person on the letter, he started to try and arrange with me to collect the goods, he also said that he was willing to reduce the amount owed. I asked if I could speak to someone who would set the payment place back up, and he said no it was down to him, and he wasn't giving an inch. I eventually got the office number off him, and called them, there is a recorded message at the beginning of the call saying they will not discuss accounts with 3rd parties unless a written letter is on the account, which of course in my case it wasn't. I got through to a call handler who asked for the account number which I gave, he then asked for my name which I gave - my own name, which is not on this account. The call handler then started to discuss the account with me, he advised when payment were made etc, I know for a fact this is a breach of data protection because I work with HR Data. Phoenix would not offer any help or advice so I ended the call, I then spoke to my friend and explained the situation, they were shocked that they had received a letter and more shocked that they discussed in detail their account. Where do we stand with them breaching data protection? My friend is contacting the council because the bailiff’s licence expires on Thursday and they have asked for the debt to be paid in cash before then, which has raised alarms bells with us. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I'm new to this so hope it's directed to the correct place. I have had a Guarantor Loan for 6 months with CFO Lending but due to unforeseen circumstances, I have now gone into a DMP with Step Change. I contacted CFO by various methods to explain the situation and asked them to remove the CPA. My bank have since re-deposited 2 payments that they have tried to take. I took a call from them early in August and explained my situation and explained that Step Change as informed me that if I could pay the difference between the DMP payment and my normal payment, out of my budget, then this should be enough for them not to try to get the money through my Guarantor. They said that there had been no communication from Step Change and the interest on my account was accruing. I contacted Step Change who said they had contacted them and they also sent me a breakdown of payments to my creditors, which CFO were included. Today CFO have contacted my Guarantor and along with informing her that I am now 2 payments overdue, Have also disclosed that I have entered into a DMP!!! This as made me feel sick to the stomach and I could not bring myself to contact them with my anger. Can they do this, or this abuse of my personal data? Any help would be gladly received as I need to call them back at some point. Thanks, D.

Hi I wonder if anyone can help, My parents took a mortgage out in 2001 and alongside it was Total Mortgage Protection, now my step dad has always been careful with money, and cannot recall asking for this or it being "sold" to him. Is this something that could possibly be claimed back? He has never thought about it before until these have you been sold PPI people got his number. Thanks in advance

Dear All I took out a business loan from HSBC back in April 2009. I was told a pre-requisite for the business loan is for each of the business partners to take out a Business Protection Plan. So we had to pay for 2 Business Protection Plans(for me & my spouse) over the course of 5 years that ended April 2013. Can someone advise if indeed it is same as PPI Regards MS

Hi, First post and all, so if its in the wrong place, please forgive and relocate I spend 2 (Thur/Sat)days a week doing voluntary work at the salvation army, I have aranged this on my own after my Mandatory work placement, I have been there since February. I was told by the assistant I work with on Thursday that she had received a call from someone saying they where from the DWP on Monday (the day I have a interview with them) and that they where checking what days I attend and how much I claim to make sure I wasn't claiming expense twice (Not stupid enough to even try that). now of course she gave the information out which I think is a breach of the data protection act. I just want to get it all straight in my head about who was in the wrong, before I take things further. Was the DWP wrong to ask for this information knowing it is in violation of DPA ? Cheers

A friend of mine took some digital photo images whilst in Greece recently; of some strange phenomena in the sky. Before seeking opinions from the media on what they are, can anyone tell me how to protect ownership of the images please ? thank you

Hello, This week a BAYV rep called at my home to speak with friends who are visiting me for a short time. The BAYV rep spoke with my friend and then spoke with myself. The BAYV rep said he would get the police to let him in the house if I did not let him in. The BAYV rep freely discussed my friends personal business with myself as well as letting other people outside hear. There was even slander - the slander was that I am a criminal and that I had just assaulted the BAYV rep! I just laughed at the BAYV rep when he said this and again said to him that I am asking him to leave and adding that everything is on CCTV, so, if he would like to make a complaint of assault then I would have the CCTV to show that this was just a lie, made up by himself. When the BAYV rep finally decided to leave, I called one of my German Shepherds outside to underline the fact in bold that the BAYV rep would not enter my house. BAYV will not confirm that they will stop their visits. What is the next step I can take? I do not mind taking this to Court etc, injunction? Any help appreciated, thanks! Since reading this site today, I have learnt that other people have been accused of assault by BAYV! I have sent emails to BAYV requesting that they stop their visits. They have replied to my emails saying that they can not confirm that they will stop the visits to my house as they need to speak to their customer. They have also stated that this is their final response.

I am new here so hope this is the correct place that I can get help. If not then apologies. I am looking for advice regarding Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts. As part of a recent schools closure consultation one of the other schools under consideration collected information regarding our children. Our local Council Department then collected this information from them but failed to mention that it had done so. This information included our children's full names, year of school they attend and exact distances from the actual school in each case. We feel that the Council Department should have mentioned this as soon as they received it. As we suspected the document collected had information regarding our children we have had to write to our local Council. We have then been refused the information on three occasions whilst invoking the freedom of information act. They have quoted that 'they have no obligation to provide documents' and other such claims. We only received the redacted data when we threatened informing the information commissioner. Our redacted copies we received do not include our children's names as they have been blanked out, but the distances of each child from school still remain. This is quite worrying as this is a small rural area then this can easily identify where a child stays. We also now believe that this information may have been handed out to others in unredacted form where the children's names were not necessary for the purpose they received the documents. Apologies for the long post. I just hope that someone can help. I am hoping that you may be able to help in several ways: * Are we entitled to complain? * Help point us in the correct direction as to what we should do in this case. * Possibly help with a template letter to the Information Commissioner. * Any other advice you can give. Thank you so much for your help in advance. It would mean so much to us.

Hi, I took out a HSBC Business Protection Plan when I took out a business loan. I now believe it was mis-sold as I was told it was compulsory and they wouldn't give me the loan without it. I'm hoping this is the same as PPI? and I am able to reclaim. Would really appreciate it if anyone knows of this product to let me know. I'm one half of a partnership, not limited, and we both had to take a policy in order to get the loan. Your help would be much appreciated.

I wasn't sure which forum to post this in however decided on the CRA forum as I would imagine those on here would have the best knowledge of Data Protection. The long story cut short is that a very large UK business has disclosed my password for my account with them to various other bodies including several solicitors acting for them and have also submitted this information to the HM courts as a part of their "evidence" to defend my claim. The account is still very much active and had I not gone through their bundle with a fine tooth comb I would not have spotted the breach. This information has already been on circulation for some time now with their solicitor and now the courts. My concern is the format in which the password has been disclosed is in the form of a "screenshot" of their computer system which would indicate that all of their operators also have complete access to the whole password. I had always understood that passwords were stored in such a manner as the operator would only ever have access to 2 letters / characters. If this is the case then it would seem to be quite a serious breach of data protection in itself that passwords are stored like this. In my own case to say I am furious that my password has been circulated to the courts and their solicitor would be an understatement and I would l like advice on how you would deal with this. I would rather not say the company at this time as I do not want to compromise my own case, however this is a very large UK business.

My payslips went missing with my information on them, and I have exhausted the in house complaints system. My information is still floating around somewhere, and it lets people know, who I am, where I work, how much I earn, and I really need to keep where I work to very few people, whom I can trust. Do I have a complaint here for the ICO?

Apologies for this post if it is in the wrong place, so MODs please move it to the right place. Thanks in advance. My question covers two issues with debt. I have a dispute with my landlord about rental arrears. My landlord claims I am in arrears whilst I contend that I am in credit on my rental account. The landlord has threatened to contact my employers and disclose details of our dispute. My first question is - is my landlord classed as a creditor for the purposes of reporting the landlord to the OFT? My understanding of the guidelines is that as the landlord is a sole individual the OFT may not be the best place to make a report - am I right? My second question is - can the landlord simply disclose our dispute to my employers? Is that not considered a breach of Data Protection? I want to write to the landlord stating that I consider the threat of contacting my employers as harassing me and I am going to make a report to the OFT. Is this the best cause of action? Thanks to all who answer!

I received a letter from Moorcroft in October last year asking me to contact them over an alleged debt to EE (formerly T-Mobile). I replied by email with the prove it letter. I received this response yesterday and just wonder if they are breaching the data protection act. I have removed anything that would identify me but from reading the email they have got my date of birth wrong. Dear Miss xxxxxxxxx Our Client: EE (Formerly T-Mobile) I write further to my recent email regarding the above account and return with our client’s response. Our client has advised us that their records show that this account relates to mobile telephone numbers 07xxxxxxxxx and 07xxxxxxxxx. The original billing address was XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX and the account holders date of birth is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Our client’s records show that this account was cancelled on the 20th December 2013 due to non payment. Our client has asked that you consider this information and should you dispute opening the above account you are able to contact their Fraud Helpline on 0845 412 5000, selecting option 1,3 then 1 again, so that our client can ensure matters can be fully investigated for you. As previously confirmed your account is currently on hold and this will remain the position for a further 14 days to allow you the opportunity to respond to this email and confirm how you are proceeding with matters. We will also revert back to our client to confirm any contact they may now receive as requested above. Yours sincerely xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Compliance Manager Compliance Department

Sadly, this is yet another thread concerning the dangers of taking "legal advice" from websites without first checking whether the "advice" is correct. The brief background is that the gentleman's car was clamped on his driveway by bailiffs who demanded £477.13. A Notice to Seizure was posted through the door advising the debtor that the bailiff would return at 8.a.m for payment. The debtor visited various websites and read upon one of them the following "advice": "If the vehicle is parked on private land, the clamper has committed a criminal offence" "Section 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and the police must arrest the clamper. This legislation is nothing to do with "private car parks". "Time to get out the bolt cutters and report the clamper to the police" Unfortunately, the gentleman took this "advice". He did not use "bolt cutters" but he did manage to remove the clamp. He took pictures of the clamp on his car as "evidence". The bailiff returned to the car earlier than 8.30 and immediately called the police. The debtor had printed of a copy of the "advice" that he had received from the website and asked for the police to ARREST the bailiff. The police refused and informed him that he needed to check his "legal advice". Whilst the argument with the police was going on...the bailiff had called a "removal contractor" and within 20 minutes, his car was loaded onto a low loader. As the removal vehicle had been called the bailiff added a further fee of £175 to the debt. The gentleman offered to pay by CREDIT CARD but this was rejected by the bailiff on the basis that many internet "advice" sites are encouraging debtors to pay by credit card and to then apply for a "charge-back" against the card provider. The bailiff allowed him an extra 45 mins to make payment by alternative means. The debtor could not pay and his car was removed to the vehicle pound and it was not until 5 days later that he was able to get the car released after paying over £840 in cash. The debtor again relied upon the "advice" on various websites and wrote a letter "before action" to the local authority seeking a substantial amount of money. He has received a response from their legal department and contacted me this morning to ask me whether the information from the local authority is correct. YES IT IS !!!! Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. The Act received Royal Assent on 1st May 2012 and came into force on 1st October 2012 and this legislation is directed at the proprietors of private car parks. Below you will see a link to a Fact Sheet from the Home Office and Department for Transport In particular, you will need to read the paragraph under the heading of Lawful Authority which states as follows: The term “lawful authority” means where specific legislation or express powers are in force, which allow for vehicles to be legally immobilised or removed. Examples of lawful authority include where statutory powers exist such as Road Traffic Regulations which allow local authorities or the police to clamp or tow vehicles on public roads" "Certificated bailiffs retain their powers to immobilise or remove vehicles" "Certain statutory authorities also retain the ability to clamp and tow, such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), who will continue to clamp or tow vehicles which are un-roadworthy or have not had their vehicle tax paid" https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/98406/fact-sheet-part3.pdf

Hi Guys I got and hone call on Friday from PRA, ignored it because it was automated, then they did the one thing that is a massive no-no; They rang my work place! Somehow managed to find the number and embarrassed me, because my boss dragged me aside this morning and went "what the hell! " Anyway I spoke to PRA and they REFUSE to remove the contact details for me after i said in writing only. They have marked them *Incorrect contact* instead and refused. I warned them I would refer it to the ICO, and they still didn't budge! What do you suggest?

Hi everyone, I've been reading this forum for a while now and decided to tackle my fiancés old Barclays account which I recently found "Barclays Additions" and "Overdraft Protection" on. I've already got back her statements via a SAR. They date from July 1999 through to October 2007. Every month she paid £2.00 "Overdraft Protection" charge and from June 2000 though to October 2007 she paid an "Account Fee" which looks like the "Barclays Additions" fee. During the time she had the account open she used some of the overdraft and at times she went over it. She never used any of the "Additions" benefits.. . not that she knew what they were or if she could actually use them. I've asked her if she remembers being sold it, but she doesn't. There are also £832 (42) of account charges (unpaid DD's etc) on the account as well. I've seen a few threads from people who've been successful in reclaiming the "Additions" fees and also some success with the "Overdraft Protection". Therefore I'm just trying to find the correct spreadsheets to put the charges into. .. could someone point me in the right direction please? Thanks James

I am currently browsing through a miriad of documents, received after a SAR request to a financial institution, re a mortgage loan to a close relative whereupon, I have found a doc relating to a Single Premium Disbursment Income Protection/Term Life.in the sum of close to £1000. Is this doc relating to PPI or purely a life ins policy?? All information advice will be gratefully received. "EXEMPLO DUCEMUS"

From today, consumers and small businesses taking out new landline, broadband or mobile contracts should be allowed to exit them without penalty if their provider increases the monthly subscription price agreed at the point of sale. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2014/01/22/protection-for-consumers-against-unexpected-mid-contract-price-rises/ and the full guidance. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/price-rises-fixed-contracts/statement

Hi All, I'm not sure if this is in the right section Anyway some time ago my wife was working a large company (cannot name them). After been relocated to an office in Leeds they then decided that after a year or so they needed her back in Bradford as they suggested there was no longer a position required in Leeds as they were managing from a central hub. When my wife moved to Leeds they also served notice on her company car so she would have to get public transport. At the time my wife saw this move to Leeds as a good career opportunity and we have a direct bus route at the end of our road although not ideal as we were back to one car. So after a year or so the company said they wanted her to move back to Bradford doing a role she did when she first started at the company some years ago. Her argument against taking the role was that it was a step back in career from what she was doing in her current role. Also due to the location of the office she would have to get three busses or pay for a car to get to work. With this in mind we would actually be financially worse off as we would need to buy and run another car however the company were not willing to offer any financial incentive to assist the change. Anyway my wife had no option to go off sick as by working the role was informally accepting it. After a lot of discussions between the parties a negotiation was underway for a settlement offer. During this time my wife approached a recruitment consultants to try and ascertain whether her skills would be required in the current market or whether she is likely to be unemployed for sometime. Obviously from our position this was important information with which to base the settlement offer on. Anyway after a visit to one recruitment company they made an error by sending my wife's CV to her current employer who she was negotiating the settlement with. Her current employers view was that although off on sick she was actively seeking work which was not the case. In this instance they drastically reduced the settlement offer by approx 25% suggesting she was fit for work etc. So my question is do we have any come back on the recruitment company for sending her CV to her current employer? Can we put a small claim in to recover the 25%?

Hello all Thought I would seek advice on this issue, I have a private pension through my employer with a well known provider, today I logged onto my on line account to down load my yearly statement, and to see how my pension investments were doing, I pressed the print button, without reading the statement first, after printing I started to read the statement contents, and thought these figures don't sound correct, looking further into the statement, I noted the account number wasn't mine, further looking, everything was wrong, the statement in fact belongs to another person, I telephoned the pension provider, explained that I had logged into my account, printed what I thought was my yearly statement, and noted the statement isn't mine, provider has now frozen my account and the person whom the statement belongs to, until they investigate what has happened. At this time the other person will be unaware that I now have all there personnel details, address, employer, contributions, figures, dob, everything that is personal to this other person. I now await the investigation from this provider......... I have made three 0845 telephone calls to report this, will I be able to claim these costs back, and what final outcome should I seek when there do contact me in due course, should I contact the person I now have the details for, to let them know what has happened ? thoughts please.......

Hi, I would like you to help me with this situation where my joint loan agrrement from MBNA in year 2001 was given to me with PPI included in it. when I asked for CCA they sent me copy of the contract then I realised there is PPI in it. When I asked from DCA DLC to provide me with the t & C of this PPI they told me I have to contact original creditor (But DLC had forbidden me to contact original creditor through a letter in 2002). My question is as PPI is part of CCA of this loan, can this whole agreement be considered as 'disputed' until PPI issue is not resolved? Please respond ASAP. I have to reply to DLA who are pressurising me now to pay the debt. If there is any template letter to write to MBNA on the basis of above ino. please let me have it and a template letter to SHUT UP DLC. Waiting to hear from you. Thank you very much for all your help in the past, present and future...

Hi. I wondered if there were any housing law people around who could give some advice on my situation. We're good private tenants, paid rent every month, no rent arrears, no complaints against us etc. We have been nominated for a ground floor property with a housing association on medical grounds - the only thing in the way is that the landlord is not giving us a reference - not refusing as such, but just not sending it. The landlord is not answering the phone to me or returning my calls. We risk losing the flat as it is now available for rent and the HA don't want excess void time. I suspect the landlord feels they can delay us moving by not giving a reference - keeping us here over the difficult to find a tenant, holiday period. It has occurred to me to threaten them with court action for not protecting our deposit as they are required to do which may result in a fine of three times the deposit, and request that they give the reference (all we want is a truthful one!). Before I did it, I just wanted to get a feel for any legal downside.