Good security or .....? Forums

sallytrafic · Southern Rally Co-ordinator

We lost one of our sets of Van keys. With the exception of the water one key does all locks, the immobiliser and the alarm.

After an exhaustive search we ordered a new one. We were required to provide our V5C, a photo driving licence and a deposit. The key was ordered from the manufacturer by VIN number and today the van the old key and the new key were reprogrammed, so if some scrote (or indeed us) finds the old key they can get in but can't unset the alarm or immobiliser.

£130 well spent or is it?

You see they took a colour photocopy of the V5C, my driving licence and took payment from a debit card and stapled them all together with a job record that had my name and address contact phone number etc. What happens to them I asked - we keep them in the office for our records. That's all very well but I can't help thinking that one day that stuff might be stolen or they might get a dishonest staff member.

Zebedee · Moderator

Hi Frank

I'm a bit out of touch now, but under the Data Protection Act one of the criteria for keeping personal details on record was " the continuing need to have them available for reference." - or words to that effect.

With emphasis on the word "continuing" now the transaction is complete, I would think you could ask for your details to be removed and destroyed.

There may be some reason they want to keep the information, but I can't think of a valid one myself. If you are plonker enough to lose the keys again ( Very Happy

) you just go through the same procedure.

Hmmmmmm???

Regards

vicdicdoc

Nothing is safe anymore . . see :-

SpeedyDux

Frank, I agree with you. Unless they have a very good reason, I can't see why they need to keep your personal data like that for any length of time.

You could ask them to destroy it. If they don't, then the Information Commissioner's office is your next port of call, but don't hold your breath. In my experience, they are about as much use as the proverbial chocolate teapot.

SD

sallytrafic · Southern Rally Co-ordinator

Data protection act doesn't apply to paper records does it?

krull

What an absolute farce.

I have just bought an extra chipped key for my peugeot. It was from a mobile key cutter at Pothmadoc market. He simply put the key in this device, the key transponder code was displayed on his computer. He then inserts the blank and it writes the code to the new key. He then cut the key to the right shape on his machine.
The replacement key was even made by the same manufacturer as the original.

Price...£20

And it works!

I'm sure that fiat/peugeot make getting a replacement as difficult as possble to try to convince us that they are more secure.

sallytrafic · Southern Rally Co-ordinator

Sevel security isn't on a par with Renault's if you lost one of those keys your van would still be at risk. If my key is found it won't be any good. Cloning a key reduces your security.

bandaid

£ 130.00 well spent, if the new key gives peace of mind, theres no question.

However, I would suggest a letter to the company and require them to destroy your personnal records, as, since you have no continuous need for replacement keys....( we hope) they dont need to have your records.
What if you moved house next week, the V5 and Driving licence would be useless to them.

sallytrafic · Southern Rally Co-ordinator

I think what they are trying to prove is that they gave the keys to the rightful owner and neither my insurance company nor I can say they didn't if my van gets stolen.

I think their argument is flawed all they need is a signed off procedure that witnesses that they saw the documents.