Bad form

[MickJ]

Recieved a promotional leaflet from Volkswagen in the post this morning.

 

It consisted of a personally addressed letter and a booklet outlining the virtues of the 'new' Golf Plus models. OK so far, but when I turned to the reply coupon at the back, test drive, further information request etc. It had someone elses name and address filled in.

 

This I consider to be very bad form, especially these days with identity theft so rife.

 

Decide to e-mail Volkswagen, but they do not list an address. Looks like I will have to use their freephone number on Monday morning.

 

Any thoughts on who should be contacted as well as VW.

 

Don't think it would be a good idea to contact the person whose address I have mistakenly been sent, people can be funny over such things. Especially in this case, as it is a Miss, as in single female.

 

And who has the leaflet with my name and address.

 

[ 06. August 2005, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: MickJ ]

[chevin]

Errr, while obviously someone has put the wrong leaflet into an envelope, where is the problem here? Perhaps I am out of touch with things in the UK but when names and addresses are easily obtained from 'phone directories and the electoral roll, I can't see any major problem arising from what is really only a minor avoidable and regrettable mistake. :confused:

[Sportsman]

Tend to agree with Chevin, I think you need a bit more than a name and address.

Then again, where did VW get yours, and hers, and the other 5,000,000 they sent out!

[MickJ]

We are always being told that we should shred any documents or envelopes that have an address on to stop identity theft. Not just throw them in the bin.

 

Are you both saying that this is not necessary?

[UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk]

In this case I shouldn't worry too much, but you should shred anything that contains personally identifiable information pertaining to yourself (before disposing) including:

 

Bills (electric, gas, water) - can be used for ID

Bank statements (and other letters with acc/sort)

 

Anything pertaining to credit (card statements, loan offers etc)

 

Receipts, anything related to property (i.e that you do not need to keep).

 

Anything legal (divorce papers, conveyancing etc)

 

 

I had a company mail me about something this week in an envelope which had its company name, my address (obviously) and the SUBJECT printed on the envelope!! This is a major company with MILLIONS of customers, and the letter was nothing which needed acting upon, however, from an identity fraud perspective would have been very useful to a corrupt postal or office worker.

[Sportsman]

Mick, your name and address is so easily available from a multitude of sorces that I don't see that it makes much difference. However, more personal documents, as Ian mentions above should be disposed of more carefully.

Out of interest, how many of you out there possess a shredder, am I the only one who doesn't?

[Howard 13]

Burn all of mine.

[five bellies]

YOU COULD CONTACT THE DATA PROTECTION AGENCY http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk IF YOU FEEL THAT STRONGLEY ABOUT IT, BUT HOW MUCH MILAGE YOU WOULD GET FROM THEM WOULD BE SUBJECT TO DEBATE. MUST AGREE WITH YOU THOUGH VERY SHODDY ON VW'S BEHALF.

 

[ 07. August 2005, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: five bellies ]

[SandTiger]

Bin it & move on - Life is too short