Personal Information available on the net

L

liv

Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Hi guys,

don't often post on here, but hopefully the community will be able to assist.

Some context - recently put my house on the market, via an agent who advertised on the usual platforms. Only ever provided her with my contact details however I am getting calls from other agents wanting to list the property.

After querying with these unsolicited agents as to how they sourced my contact details, one finally slipped up. Doing some basic searches online, I tracked down the source (site completely lacks security) and was able to get contact details for anyone as long as i have their ID number!!! Did a whois search on the domain, and called the person who it is registered to, but she had left the office!

Now - my question is, what recourse is there to take this down, as I certainly did not sign up for my personal contact information to be publically available, and I sure is the case for most people who are on this database. I for one would like to see these scum of the earth locked away for breaching legislation!
 
liv said:
Hi guys,

don't often post on here, but hopefully the community will be able to assist.

Some context - recently put my house on the market, via an agent who advertised on the usual platforms. Only ever provided her with my contact details however I am getting calls from other agents wanting to list the property.

After querying with these unsolicited agents as to how they sourced my contact details, one finally slipped up. Doing some basic searches online, I tracked down the source (site completely lacks security) and was able to get contact details for anyone as long as i have their ID number!!! Did a whois search on the domain, and called the person who it is registered to, but she had left the office!

Now - my question is, what recourse is there to take this down, as I certainly did not sign up for my personal contact information to be publically available, and I sure is the case for most people who are on this database. I for one would like to see these scum of the earth locked away for breaching legislation!
Click to expand...

Here's the thing, they don't even need your ID number. There are platforms available to estate agents that allow them to click on basically any property (complex or otherwise, all laid out nicely in a Google maps interface) and get information about of the homeowner (i.e. when you bought the place, if there is a bond registered against it, how much you paid, as well as your initials). They can then click on your profile and perform a paid search which then gives them access to your ID number, contact details (cell, work number, etc.).

The information isn't always accurate, but yeah, easy enough to register and use these platforms. They also show all registered properties currently for sale in an area, with a direct link to the listing on some sites (such as property24).

There are numerous other searches and reports they can pull and access.
 
TehStranger said:
Here's the thing, they don't even need your ID number. There are platforms available to estate agents that allow them to click on basically any property (complex or otherwise, all laid out nicely in a Google maps interface) and get information about of the homeowner (i.e. when you bought the place, if there is a bond registered against it, how much you paid, as well as your initials). They can then click on your profile and perform a paid search which then gives them access to your ID number, contact details (cell, work number, etc.).

The information isn't always accurate, but yeah, easy enough to register and use these platforms. They also show all registered properties currently for sale in an area, with a direct link to the listing on some sites (such as property24).

There are numerous other searches and reports they can pull and access.
Click to expand...

+1, agencies have many tools available nowadays
 
liv said:
Hi guys,

don't often post on here, but hopefully the community will be able to assist.

Some context - recently put my house on the market, via an agent who advertised on the usual platforms. Only ever provided her with my contact details however I am getting calls from other agents wanting to list the property.

After querying with these unsolicited agents as to how they sourced my contact details, one finally slipped up. Doing some basic searches online, I tracked down the source (site completely lacks security) and was able to get contact details for anyone as long as i have their ID number!!! Did a whois search on the domain, and called the person who it is registered to, but she had left the office!

Now - my question is, what recourse is there to take this down, as I certainly did not sign up for my personal contact information to be publically available, and I sure is the case for most people who are on this database. I for one would like to see these scum of the earth locked away for breaching legislation!
Click to expand...

How did the agent get your id number?
 
TehStranger said:
Here's the thing, they don't even need your ID number. There are platforms available to estate agents that allow them to click on basically any property (complex or otherwise, all laid out nicely in a Google maps interface) and get information about of the homeowner (i.e. when you bought the place, if there is a bond registered against it, how much you paid, as well as your initials). They can then click on your profile and perform a paid search which then gives them access to your ID number, contact details (cell, work number, etc.).

The information isn't always accurate, but yeah, easy enough to register and use these platforms. They also show all registered properties currently for sale in an area, with a direct link to the listing on some sites (such as property24).

There are numerous other searches and reports they can pull and access.
Click to expand...

Yeah. Those platforms are open to anyone.
 
They do not require your ID number. I receive calls often from these corrupt estate agents about various properties.
 
Milano said:
Other than the dishonest practice of contacting property owners without opt-in?
Click to expand...

Opt in? What the hell? I am not an agent, but I can access many databases legally and get homeowners details and call them. To sell them something. That's not illegal or corrupt.
 
Milano said:
Other than the dishonest practice of contacting property owners without opt-in?
Click to expand...

I don't trust estate agents, politicians or lawyers. Because I was advised respectively by a Estate Agent, Politician and a Lawyer not to trust people in that profession. Seeing as they are all family - I'm inclined to believe them.
 
pinball wizard said:
Opt in? What the hell? I am not an agent, but I can access many databases legally and get homeowners details and call them. To sell them something. That's not illegal or corrupt.
Click to expand...

The ethics is somewhat dubious. I know of one local estate agent who has the habit - if she spots a rival taking someone to a house - to follow them, and just say hi, while giving the prospective buyer her business card.
 
pinball wizard said:
Opt in? What the hell? I am not an agent, but I can access many databases legally and get homeowners details and call them. To sell them something. That's not illegal or corrupt.
Click to expand...

My right to privacy trumps your right to try and sell me your unsolicited goods and/or services. Furthermore you are required to provide me with full details on where you sourced my information. And then when POPI is enforced you will be liable for a fine up to R10m or time at Pollsmoor :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X