Thread: first direct wont send SAR/data protection without signature

Can anyone shed some light? I have sent SAR to first direct with fee but without signature. They have replied that they need a signature to verify identity. I have replied that the law does not require me to sign anything but I am willing to go to a local branch and provide proof of id in the form of a passport. FD replied no can do. Only when they receive my signature and have verified it, they will then have forty days to comply.
Has anyone experienced this avoidance tactic?
Any ideas?
Thanks

Thank you so much Maroondevo52 for your speedy reply.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I have moved address, but I have been corresponding with three different debt collection agencies at my current address and have been paying a nominal amount since 2006!
My drivers licence is still in my old address for id, though.

ok Scott, will do.
I have been fighting to keep the vulchures from my door since 2006 and finally had the good fortune to find this website. I have been trawling through these forums, many many hours of informative reading! since january and have finally taken the plunge.
Thanks again for your support and i'll let you know what Ms Howard at First Direct has to say about this letter.

Thank you

hi
first direct have replied with

"thank for your letter of 7 july 2009.
i note that despite our numerous letters asking you to provide a valid signature to enable us to authenticate your request,we continue to receive correspondence either unsigned or with an invalid signature (i printed my name).
failure to provide the required information will result in any furture correspondence being destroyed without responce,as we would be unable to fulfil our obligations under the data protection act.
yours sincerely
janet brook"

WOW! so if i dont send a signature in ms brook will bin all future letters!
do i report FD to information commissioner now?
just to clarify, i have offered to go to a branch of HSBC (fd & hsbc being one and same) with passport in hand, i have been corresponding with numerous debt collectors acting on behalf of fd for 3 years, i have been paying a nominal amount to fd from this address for 3 years.
i think fd have been banging on charges left right and centre and i dont think they have a valid signed agreement.
the debts in question are a loan, credit card and overdraft.
would appreciate any feedback
thank you

hi scott
thanks for the post but i cant open the link. Is there another way to view the page?
thanks

thank you scott, all done.
do you think this is absolutely secure?

Originally Posted by maroondevo52

Hi,

Don't think we'd advertise it if it was'nt.

Regards.

Scott.

Hi,

I have had the same problem with the lady you mentioned, it took me 4 attempts to attain my DPA info in the end. You DO NOT have to send you signature to the lady in question . I believe these are delay tactics used by FD.

If you would like me to send you details on my letters, upon which they did eventually supply my DPA notes then please contact me directly - I don't wish to add the letters here as then FD would know my identity (and I still have outstanding issues with them and their DCA (Metropolitan) & DG chasing me when the account is in dispute!).

Don't give up! I had a perfect account history for over 15 years until I became disabled and unable to work. The vultures were relentless after just 3 months, making my illness worse. I won't let them get me down, and neither should anyone else. We just have to stand up for our rights!

ok, letters have hit the mat from fredrickson so have bitten the bullet and sent ms brooks a letter with a secure signature.
lets see what happens (am a big time conspiracy theorist, and am bracing myself, lol)

quick update, reply from Fd says that they have contacted information commissioner and have been told to quote sec 7 para 3 data protection act, which states, in short, they have the right to satisfy themselves of who I am. She is also saying that i have not supplied a valid signature, although i did send the last request with a security signature.
i'm going to write a letter to the information comm' stating that i have sent a signature, albeit one on a security strip,i have offered to collect from a branch with a passport and confirming that i have been in contact with a DCA for past 3 years and paying instalments for that time.i'm hoping he'll contact Fd & give them a kick up the you know where. i'll also send a copy to Fd & see what happens.
if anyone has anymore ideas, i'd appreciate your input

ok, complaint form finally completed, (4 attempts to send web complaints form timed out, changed all formats of letters to attach, then changed back again to print!total 5 hours 35 mins!yey!)sending by post today with all correspondance with Fd.
also sending a copy to Fd

Hi all
I received a standard aknowledgement letter from the commissioner re complaint on 3 september and a letter from fredrickson stating that they are putting case on hold until they are in receipt of instructions from their client (first direct) back in August but i've received nothing from first direct.
has anyone got any suggestions?
should i go for court order forcing disclosuer pursuant to cpr31.16?
i really want to keep up the momentum, anyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

news?

has the ICO done anything?

I am also experiencing the same problem with two banks I have sent SAR requests to. I sent off the letters on 02/10/10 and received a reply yesterday and today asking for signatures. I use a different name to what the accounts were held in and live at a different address but sent them a copy of my old passport (in the name the know me) decree absolute and birth certificate. Can anybody help with a template letter or legislation I can quote to go back to them please?