Charities flayed in new data row

Any charity bosses who thought the furore surrounding their marketing practices might die down with the introduction of tighter rules have had their hopes dashed after fresh claims that one 87-year-old man’s personal details were sold or passed on by charities up to 200 times.
The Information Commissioner’s Office is reportedly looking into claims that Samuel Rae, who has dementia, lost £35,000 after his information ended up with scammers.
Whether the watchdog will have the power to act is another matter, however. Information was passed to charities when Rae filled in a survey but did not tick a box stating that he did not want his personal details shared.
The claims, published in the Daily Mail, allege that some charities passed his details on to rogue firms responsible for scams and 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, the report states.
ICO head of enforcement Steve Eckersley said the findings were “clearly concerning”.
He told the Mail: “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.”

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