did you know Mothercare have us all on a database?

Question

My fiancee returened an item to Mothercare today and she was asked for her postcode, no big problem i hear you cry, well when it was given the assistant said " you must be charlotte?" my fiancee replyed "No thats my sister" puzzled she questioned the assistant and was told that ?Mothercare have access to the electrolroll and so know who lives where and thier age etc.....
just think anyone with access to that computer could find out where you live or where anyone lived!

how many more companys have access to the database?

your opinions please,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Answer 1

This is nothing new, upsetting as it is. Almost all companies, even ones who sell products to protect your safety and privacy (!), share databases with info on customers. Medical records, Motor vehicle records, criminal records, what you buy at the grocery store, credit card purchases (and you know those little "savings cards" at various large stores?)...they all are fed into databases which sell and trade info. The No Such Agency has been datamining for decades and the Interenet has become the favorite tool of ANYONE, from gov't agencies who want to destroy political careers, to vengeful spouses & others, who want to track down someone.

Back in 1993, when I was new to the 'net, I was at my brothers, (already an addicted surfer). I was an avid "X-files" watcher and conspiracy nut. I asked what he would need to find out info on me. "Your license plate number", was his response! Now, it's even easier.

There is a great website: www.cluelessmailers.org/spamdemic/mapfullsize.html
which has a huge map of which organizations, etc., send, receive and store vast amts. of info on US! There's also political data on research done by places like the conservative Carlysle Group.

Datamining companies abound, offering data mining (collection) services and software for anyone who'll pay. Here's just one:

www.saic.com/datamining/datamgmt.html

Welcome to the neo-"1984"!

See the site below, just one way to fight against spam and data collection.

Answer 2

Yeah, some places have that where you type in your surname and postcode and it comes up with the names and ages of everyone living at that address. But I don't really think it's fair that shops have access to that kind of information!? Surely when information is submitted for the electoral roll it should be for governmental purposes only?? Like voting, jury duty, not returns in Mothercare.

Answer 3

Every store in the country has access to us on a database. If we use a loyalty card or give out personal details to them at any point in time they effectively have our details for life. They cannot share the information due to the Data Protection Act as long as we tell them not to, in writing. Nobody should have access to the electoral roll though, as we have not given permission for anyone other that the government to view this data.

Answer 4

Anyone can have access to the electoral roll if they pay for access to it. Its one of the grey areas between the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

Even though you may be ex-directory with the phone book, someone may still find your details from the electoral roll - hence the sales calls I get even though I'm not listed.

Answer 5

That's really scary. What gives these companies the right to hold information like that, surely the data protection act requires companies to tell you when keeping info on file?
I really don't like the way so much information is required these days, many web sites ask for names and address to register just to access the information on the site, companies call our ex directory phone number and ask for us by name. Ever wonder if big brother is watching us? With practices like the one you described happening I think we can safely assume he is!!

Answer 6

Big Brother is definitely watching us!! Seriously tho it's frightening who and how quickly people can gain information about us. I managed to track down someone using free sites on the internet and came up with their address and 'phone number, all from their name and county, not even town. The electoral role is open to public scrutiny so through that anyone can find you. Makes you realise how easy it is to rob someone's identity. I always make sure I destroy bank statements etc before disposing of them for that very reason.
There you go, my opinions on the matter!!!

Answer 7

It's a matter of public record, and there are services that provide the computer interface to stores. It's not uncommon, and really nothing to be concerned about. If they were using some other source, then I'd worry.

Answer 8

Yeah... the Intellius website has all that information too - anyone can get it. There another website (it starts with a "z") that will give your SS# for a small fee. It's scary, but no ones safe in the world wide web... but it sure is fun!

Answer 9

Anyone can get that info from www.192.com
to avoid having your details displayed, next time you register on the electoral roll tick to be on the edited roll.

Answer 10

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