Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Government agencies and data protection: Are you having trouble getting them to talk to you about your case?

Earlier this week two people in as many days told me that they had been having problems with the tax and the benefits authorities, but that they couldn't discuss these problems, because when they answered security questions, the answers did not conform to what the agencies expected the answers to be. The authorities cited data protection regulations as prohibiting their discussing the cases with the people concerned, until they had provided evidence of identification. This is taking considerable time and therefore causing unacceptable delay.

I would like to get an idea as to how widespread this difficulty is and would therefore be grateful if anyone who has had similar difficulties could contact me at David.Schmitz@haringey.gov.uk.

David Schmitz
Lib Dem Councillor for Harringay Ward

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Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on December 14, 2012 at 11:30

I haven't had that problem but I have had the reverse problem when, for example, a British Gas official, telephoned me.  He seemed to expect that I should prove to him who I was but he had no way of proving who he was. 

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on December 14, 2012 at 18:01

Dick: yes, I've had this from a bank and a telecoms company and it reflects corporate arrogance.

I told one rep, but you have rung me, not the other way around, but she didn't seem to understand. There could be a chance that "taking you through security" could be a scam.

I think the guiding principle should be that, whenever you receive a call from someone you don't know or a call that is unexpected, then the onus must be on them to identify themselves, to your satisfaction, before anything further is transacted.

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