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Where do they get our details?

A Fin24 user is wondering how consumer goods companies are allowed to obtain and use your details when you have never had any dealings with them. She writes:

I received a letter in the post this week from JDG Financial Services, dated November 1 2012, offering me an unsolicited unsecured loan of up to R24 000. This letter is signed by a Nino Nair, marketing manager.

Here lies the problem; I called the number on the letter to ask where did they get my details. I do not have any accounts with them or any other retailer and was given the runaround.

I called back three times and eventually asked for the head office branch in Randburg's number. Here I was placed on hold for over 20 minutes until I stated that unless I was put through to a supervisor who would help me, I would contact the newspapers.

Miraculously, a J Pillay, who claimed to be the senior supervisor, was able to take my call.

I asked her how they obtained my details. She asked for my ID number so that she could find me on the system.

I refused to do so because I shouldn't be on their system in the first place. And I didn't want to give out any personal information to the very same organisation that has obtained my details without my consent!

The letter is addressed to me in my maiden name, which I haven't used in two years, and I have not applied for any credit, accounts or loans.

I moved to my current address at the beginning of this year and there is no way that JDG Financial services could have obtained my details from me.

Fortunately, I live in a house with one postbox, but what would happen if I lived in a block of flats with multiple post boxes/slots? Or if I had moved house? What would prevent someone from intercepting my mail and trying to take advantage of this loan in my name?

I have an excellent credit rating and would not like it to be jeopardised by this company that I have no dealings with.

What can I do about this? Do we have any recourse against companies using our details without our consent?

I do not have any accounts or mobile phone contracts. I have a few cash/rewards cards, NONE of which are from the Joshua Doore stable and most importantly are all in my married name.

My details have somehow been obtained by this company and I want my name removed from their database but it seems impossible to do so on my own because they want more information, which I am not prepared to give.

Your assistance in this matter would be most appreciated.

 - Fin24

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Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.

Fin24 reserves the right to obtain service providers' comments before publishing any articles or letters, and to edit any material used. Fin24 also reserves the right to edit or delete any and all user comments received.

 
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