Client Data breach by another practice-what to do?

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I recently took over a Client from another practice. The Client provided me with the semi-complete documentation from the previous accountant, which was about to be expected-as the other pracice isn't very thorough with their work (that's why the Client wanted to change their accountant). However, it turned out, that the previous accountant printed some of the documents on re-used pieces of paper - i.e: one side contained bank statements, invoices, etc. belonging to my Client, the other side contained sensitive informarion belonging to another Clients of the said practice: payroll information, bank statements, e-mail conversations, etc.

I'm a bit confused what to do now and would like to ask you for some advice. I know that the other accountant isn't chartered or regulated by any body and I've heard rumors about data leaks from this practice before. I'm not in the best of terms with the practice too, as many of their clients went over to me, so now they even refuse to talk to me via phone.

How do you think I should react?

Replies (12)

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By Mr_awol
01st Mar 2018 18:58

You have three main options (since they are unregulated by professional body)
1) phone them and let them know you’ll be returning them (use it as an olive branch)
2) report them to the information Commissioner’s Office
3) if you can tell where the clients whose data you have are, return them direct to client in a kind of “I think these might be yours, dunno why acc x sent them to me” manner (hand grenade option)

In fact option three might be tricky as it’s got your new client’s stuff on the back, but could be possible.

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Replying to Mr_awol:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
01st Mar 2018 22:41

Photocopy the info that belongs to the ‘other’ client, then send it to them saying (as per AWOL) something like “your shoddy accountant is send your information out to people. (S)he clearly doesn’t care about his/her clients’ confidentiality and has no standards, maybe that’s why lots of his/her clients are leaving him/her to join me. My contact details are X and Y”. I’d maybe put it a little more professionally, but you get the gist.

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Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
02nd Mar 2018 13:10

With the greatest respect applying your interpretation on their standards and approach to their client might potentially lead to a great deal of unwanted grief.

Whilst the other firm might have no basis for screaming defamation (think what you call slander) getting yourselves tied up in such a dispute, even if unjustified, seems to me to be a poor use of future time.

On a risk/reward basis this appears to be potentially a very expensive way to gain one further client, the quality of which you have no real knowledge about anyway.

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By Tim Vane
01st Mar 2018 20:02

Actually, you should destroy the documents immediately and request replacements from the other accountant (or just scan the relevant sides)

Mistakes happen.

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By andy.partridge
01st Mar 2018 20:46

Move on. It isn’t the Wild West.

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Replying to andy.partridge:
By SteveHa
02nd Mar 2018 09:15

It's the wild North-West here.

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Replying to SteveHa:
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By andy.partridge
02nd Mar 2018 12:26

Not sure where you are but I heard Liverpool hasn't seen as much as a snowflake. I think they mentioned on QT last night that Blackpool was snow-free too.

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By Maslins
02nd Mar 2018 12:17

Scan one sided (obvs just the side relevant to you), then shred.

Everyone makes mistakes. Yes some people/firms will make more than others, but that's life.

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Replying to Maslins:
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By andy.partridge
02nd Mar 2018 12:24

Absolutely. I wonder how the OP would feel if they made a mistake and someone was plotting to crucify them for it. The reality is that they have made mistakes (we all have) and life goes on.

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By justsotax
02nd Mar 2018 12:44

As others have said - just deal with it sensibly and move on. Treat people as you would like to be treated....

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By pauljohnston
06th Mar 2018 11:54

I would scan the appropriate info and then return all docs to the accountant who mailed you with a short note I think you sent these to us in error.

You never know when you may need a favour from another

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Morph
By kevinringer
09th Mar 2018 13:29

I'd scan and keep the info relating to your new client and return the originals to the other accountant with a polite note.

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