Verification of addresses - always done?

[crosswoman]

Hello
I have read that fare evaders when caught are asked for name and address and that this is checked -usually on electoral roll. I would like to know whether this is sometimes not bothered with as I have today received a 21 day notice at my address from East Midland Trains, addressed to a person that does not live here. I have lived in this house for 12 years, so someone has clearly given a false name and my address. (cheeky!)

I am taking this up with East Midlands Trains. I want to find out from them precisely the circumstances around this - ie which of their employees issued the original notice to the non fare payer, and how they checked the information he gave them.

Is this something they are likely to be able to know (whether they share with me the info or not).

Many thanks

 

[bb21]

Was the mail addressed to you? I assume that you opened it.

Seal the envelope up and pop it back into a postbox marked "Opened by accident. Not known at this address."

They do check such information out, however it may be accepted if there is no matching information for the provided name and address, as that could be for all sorts of reasons.

 

[crosswoman]

Thank you

 

[island]

They will not tell you any of those things, probably for data protection reasons.

I agree with bb21's advice and do be aware that under certain circumstances it can be an offence to open mail that isn't addressed to you.

 

[gordonthemoron]

it is known as Interfering with her Majesty's mail

 

[Clip]

it is known as Interfering with her Majesty's mail

Yes but the postal act allows such things to happen as long as the intent was not to obstruct the adressee from getting it - I.E opening up and using a credit card in someone elses name so what the OP has done is perfectly legal.

 

[andykn]

They will not tell you any of those things, probably for data protection reasons.

Under the data protection act are you not allowed to demand all personal information a company has on you, like the record of the incident when you are supposed to have given your address?

 

[gordonthemoron]

Under the data protection act are you not allowed to demand all personal information a company has on you, like the record of the incident when you are supposed to have given your address?

yes, you are

 

[Haywain]

Under the data protection act are you not allowed to demand all personal information a company has on you, like the record of the incident when you are supposed to have given your address?

However, the OP is talking about obtaining the details of the staff member who took information from someone who is not the OP. In that situation, there is no right to demand anything.

 

[gordonthemoron]

and Haywain is also correct

 

[island]

Under the data protection act are you not allowed to demand all personal information a company has on you, like the record of the incident when you are supposed to have given your address?

Either you say that the person involved in the incident was you, and then you can have the details, or you say that the person involved in the incident was not you, and then the data relates to someone else and you are not entitled to have it.

 

[andykn]

Either you say that the person involved in the incident was you, and then you can have the details, or you say that the person involved in the incident was not you, and then the data relates to someone else and you are not entitled to have it.

I don't think there's any requirement in the Data Protection Act to admit or deny anything before making a subject access request. Surely you can make the request first.
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However, the OP is talking about obtaining the details of the staff member who took information from someone who is not the OP. In that situation, there is no right to demand anything.

Think of it like you've been inexplicably denied credit so you put in a request and find out someone's ordered a mobile phone in your name.

 

[PermitToTravel]

I don't think there's any requirement in the Data Protection Act to admit or deny anything before making a subject access request. Surely you can make the request first.

You can't make a request for all information for persons at your address as DPA Subject Access Requests only apply to individuals. You would either give your own name and be told that they hold no data on you, or give the name in the letter, fraudulently. By doing this you would obtain no information of interest.

 

[andykn]

You can't make a request for all information for persons at your address as DPA Subject Access Requests only apply to individuals. You would either give your own name and be told that they hold no data on you, or give the name in the letter, fraudulently. By doing this you would obtain no information of interest.

Yes, I was getting mixed up with another case where not only the address had falsely been given but the actual (innocent) resident.

 

[island]

You can't make a request for all information for persons at your address as DPA Subject Access Requests only apply to individuals. You would either give your own name and be told that they hold no data on you, or give the name in the letter, fraudulently. By doing this you would obtain no information of interest.

Thank you for putting that far more eloquently than I managed to.