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| Information watchdog investigates 'charity data sales' | Information watchdog investigates 'charity data sales' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Information Commissioner's Office is looking into claims that an 87-year-old man's personal details were sold or passed on by charities up to 200 times. | The Information Commissioner's Office is looking into claims that an 87-year-old man's personal details were sold or passed on by charities up to 200 times. |
| The Daily Mail reports that Samuel Rae, who has dementia, lost £35,000 after his information ended up with scammers. | The Daily Mail reports that Samuel Rae, who has dementia, lost £35,000 after his information ended up with scammers. |
| Information was passed to charities when Mr Rae filled in a survey but did not tick a box stating that he did not want his personal details shared. | Information was passed to charities when Mr Rae filled in a survey but did not tick a box stating that he did not want his personal details shared. |
| The watchdog will consider whether any breaches of the law have taken place. | The watchdog will consider whether any breaches of the law have taken place. |
| Former army colonel Mr Rae is said to have been contacted by and asked for money by charities more than 730 times after his data was repeatedly sold. | Former army colonel Mr Rae is said to have been contacted by and asked for money by charities more than 730 times after his data was repeatedly sold. |
| 'Clearly concerning' | 'Clearly concerning' |
| As well as selling, sharing and swapping details, the paper says some charities also passed them on to rogue firms responsible for scams and Mr Rae was later targeted by fraudsters. | As well as selling, sharing and swapping details, the paper says some charities also passed them on to rogue firms responsible for scams and Mr Rae was later targeted by fraudsters. |
| Charities contacted him for up to five years after he had asked them to stop, with some requesting money as many as 38 times in a year. | Charities contacted him for up to five years after he had asked them to stop, with some requesting money as many as 38 times in a year. |
| Mr Rae is cared for by his son, who said he was horrified by how his father had been treated. | Mr Rae is cared for by his son, who said he was horrified by how his father had been treated. |
| Steve Eckersley, of the Information Commissioner's Office, said the findings - presented after a Mail investigation using the Data Protection Act - were "clearly concerning". | Steve Eckersley, of the Information Commissioner's Office, said the findings - presented after a Mail investigation using the Data Protection Act - were "clearly concerning". |
| He told the newspaper: "If charities are buying and selling personal information without any thought of the wishes of the people involved, it suggests not only a disregard for the law, but also a disconnect with the supporters whose generosity they rely on." | He told the newspaper: "If charities are buying and selling personal information without any thought of the wishes of the people involved, it suggests not only a disregard for the law, but also a disconnect with the supporters whose generosity they rely on." |
| Alstair McLean, chief executive of the Fundraising Standards Board, which regulates charity fundraising, told BBC Radio Five live it was a "very, very serious case" it would be investigating. | |
| Speaking about how cases like this happen, he said: "I feel that sometimes there's a little bit of poor practice that creeps in and that's just not acceptable. | |
| "I would encourage members of the public who are unhappy about the way in which they've been approached by charities, unhappy about maybe the mail they've received, to complain." | |
| In July, the government said it was changing legislation to help protect vulnerable people from aggressive fundraising and launched a review into the current system of self-regulation. | In July, the government said it was changing legislation to help protect vulnerable people from aggressive fundraising and launched a review into the current system of self-regulation. |
| Charities are to be forced to draw up written agreements showing how vulnerable people will be protected from aggressive fundraising tactics, the prime minister said. | Charities are to be forced to draw up written agreements showing how vulnerable people will be protected from aggressive fundraising tactics, the prime minister said. |
| David Cameron said the actions of some fundraisers were damaging the reputation of the charity sector. | David Cameron said the actions of some fundraisers were damaging the reputation of the charity sector. |
| Have you been approached by a charity or an organisation which has been passed your personal details without you knowing? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. | Have you been approached by a charity or an organisation which has been passed your personal details without you knowing? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |