ISP Data Protection Act Breach Help

[slev]

Hi

I used to have internet access via Plusnet PLC PlusNet - with an adsl connection, I left this company last year and went to another isp , they auto downgrade your account to a free dial up account that costs £0 ,

On Tuesday 25th July Plusnet PLC sent out an e-mail to 3500 customers they claim by error containing 20 thousand customer details including mine.

The details included.

account reference number
username
e-mail address
alternative e-mail address
Real Name
subscription cost

I was very concerned about this due to the fact that my alternative e-mail
is one I use to run my own small business on it's own domain and is only
given out to a select few , I have contacted Plusnet with my concerns as
this has now left my domain and e-mails open to abuse and spamming / phishing and therefore may need to be changed.

I have asked Plusnet to supply me with their server logs to prove how many
e-mails were sent as at first they claimed " Only 3500 " now it is " only 1800 "

I also informed Plusnet that I have stationary that will need to be
re-printed if I change and it will be at their cost, They replied and stated they will not compensate for anything , they said they did a search on google with my alternative e-mail and found 1 link with it on one of my sites, so therefore it was already available to anyone.

They sent out an e-mail to apologise and asked everyone to delete the e-mail
, I have refused as this is evidence of the breach in question.

I have contacted the Information Commission about this serious breach and am currently waiting their response , but what I would like to know is if I can claim against Plusnet for this breach and recover all my costs for a new domain and new stationary and my time in doing this if needed.

The Register also reported this and all the other problems they have done lately
Oops! PlusNet's Force 9 blows email gale | The Register

Many Thanks in advance

[welly]

Hi
You have done the right thing and best to wait for the Information Commissioner to come back to you and see what they say about this all.

Keep us posted

Welly

[pcr1]

I am a PlusNet customer. I'd heard about this. How can I find out if I was affected?

PlusNet are in serious bother with most of their customer base at the moment. I've got ongoing Internet access problems, like many of their customers, and am unable to speak to anyone in support. Another dig at them would be most welcome.