DWP sent me somebody else's information!

fYI
I received paperwork (regarding (iR) ESA. I'm being reassessed....again.
Anyhow to my shock there was a copy of my own ESA50 form. But -,some info had been faxed to a JBC....in Bury St Edmunds!! ( no where near me!) it hey we're not not my details!!
worse still... I had a print off of this claimants NI number, full address, telephone and mobile number. I fully understood what her medical issue was but I will not divulge that.

Honest that I am I called them. Oh dear lots of squirming going on. She said could I post it back! I drew her attention to the small print whereby it states they incur cost of postage. Therefore today a pre-paid envelope arrived ( very quickly ) for me to return the papers.
Has anyone else had a similar experience. Certainly somebody last Friday was indeed going to be in big trouble.
Hands up they can't fault me for honesty and I noted everything down. They are quick to act when they want to!

Hi Kazzy,

Fortunately this is not common - I think I have heard of it on the forum once or twice before this. Still too often, of course, when dealing with people's personal information!

Hi,

I can't say too much on here but I do know a lot about this subject of Data Protection and if I had received what you have, I know that I would be straight in touch with the Information Commissioner's Office, (ICO) who if you aren't already aware, are;

The UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

Put the same details to them, via their live chat during office hours and then see if it peaks their interest, should you want to go down that route of course. ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/live-chat/

If DWP, are not held accountable and often enough for such Data Protection Act Breach's, which this certainly seems to be; then it will just keep happening until it is our details going to a complete stranger... who shudder to think; may know what to do with it.

Good luck either way.

Off subject but maybe of interst and would be funy if not so serious

A few years ago local NHs trust produced a leaflet about who would have access to your records and also produced a poster in GP waiting room.

Some wag had added to the details of who would have access to your records and added "and whoever finds your records on the loca ltip"

guess what about a week later some persona/lmedical records were found on local tip