Stubbs

[buzby]

Just when you thought you only had to worry about the three main CRA's, there's another and from what I've seen, is flying so close to the wind it hopefully will get its fingers burnt. Trading on the title 'Stubbs Gazette', this Irish Company has set itself up not, as you might think, a publisher of debtors lists, but a DCA as well.

 

They charge a fortune for monthly printed (or fortnightly PDF) listings, for the Irish Republic, NI, Scotland & England & Wales.

 

http://www.businesspro.ie/stubbsgazette/england-and-wales-gazette.html

 

They also have a 'Late Payments Register' where (one assumes) potential debtors are sent letters from Stubbs, stating that they are going to be listed and send them a letter with a PIN that gives them access to the data entered by the creditor. They are then expected to settle, EVEN if the matter is in dispute.

 

Interestingly, there is no mention of how they manage to breach the DPA where (as a third party) they publish this information for their clients, with no interest that the data might be incorrect, or that permission has been granted for the data to be disclosed.

 

I'll be taking it up with the Irish Data Commissioner, as the organisation seems to be HQ'd there. There is a Scottish address also, but nothing elsewhere. More when I have it.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Good spot.

 

They appear to be concerned with commercial debts, and so would not require a consumer credit licence.

 

...or so it seems, until you look at the sample letters, in which they refer to publishing the names of individuals against whom they have obtained judgments. Collecting consumer debt in UK is a a licencable activity - and they don't appear to have a licence. They also appear not to be registered with the Information Commissioner.

[buzby]

Their only UK connection appears to be with a Newcastle-based debt-collectors association, so I think a closer look at the UK's ICO register of firms is a high priority!