Data breach? Receiving someone else’s personal data

Kate0793 — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 02:06:35 GMT

This is a random one, as I can’t find after searching online anyone else having the same issue.

I’ve had this contract with EE for nearly 2 years now. No issues until about 6 months ago.

I started getting messages for ‘Annabel’ WhatsApp messages asking about her daughter I kindly said sorry think you got the wrong number and thought nothing else of it. Then I got a text message, think that’s weird. Said the same again, wrong number, and then.. I started to get calls from her doctors, about her prescriptions/contact lenses.

I got text updates on her take out delivery. With her address on.

I got a call from her daughters school.

I got a text message from her bank (Santander)

All over 6 month period (and still today)

I called EE and said all of this, and they advised me oh that’s weird went through all the checks, re started my network settings.

still happening. At the same time I don’t know what she’s receiving of mine personal /confidential messages. As I don’t get calls and some texts too.

I was told I just have to simply change my number to solve this. As the person that had this number before me hasn’t updated everyone - I’m struggling to understand that. If that was the case surely I would of started getting her messages as soon As I put the sim in my phone?

I wouldn’t mind changing my number but I help my partner run a small business, and the week before I was told I had to change my number. It was printed on 3000+ flyers already posted into peoples homes.

the end of it, I felt there had been a data protection breach and if all the information I had on this lady fell into the wrong hands, this would of been a completely different story. EE said it’s not their fault, it’s Offcom that provide us with the numbers.

I keep getting different answers about why it’s happening.

But with the financial loss of changing numbers, I can’t pay for another lot of flyers again with the new number on it. I feel a bit let down?

Re: Data breach? Receiving someone else’s personal data

James_B — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 08:36:16 GMT

Hi @Kate0793,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

The most likely causes of this issue are that this number was used by someone else before it was recycled and assigned to you, or that someone with a similar number to yours has shared your number in error.

I would recommend blocking the numbers that have called you in error on your phone. Please let me know which phone you have if you need help with this.

James

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Data breach? Receiving someone else’s personal data

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