A DAILY Echo investigation can reveal a Bournemouth loans company has been displaying sensitive customer information to passers-by.

It comes after a concerned resident reported the blunder to the Echo fearing that Amigo is breaching data protection rules.

We found that computer screens were visible from the pavement and that passers-by were able to stand and observe the staff and their screens situated a short distance away facing the window.

A photographer was even allowed to stand taking photos and a video for more than 20 minutes whilst staff looked, laughed and turned their backs at this potential data protection risk.

During this time he was able to see lists of customers, names, addresses, contact details and the amount they were in arrears on their loan.

Only when the photographer actually put the lens on the glass window did a member of staff try to hinder him and then a manager came out see what he was doing.

The loan company only recently moved into the designer building in the former C&A building in the Triangle.

A Bournemouth resident, who wished to remain anonymous, wanted to alert people that their data protection is at risk.

She said: “Their windows are floor to ceiling and they have made no effort to disguise the data with privacy screens or blinds.

“I think this is an obvious breach of the data protection act and is an unbelievable act of disrespect to the people’s data.”

She said the situation is worse during the evening dark hours and added: “If they just removed or turned that row of computers to face the other way, it would be fine for data.”

However, Amigo stated that ‘no sensitive information can be seen by the naked eye’ and that this was a temporary situation before the glass is frosted next Tuesday.

A statement from an Amigo spokesperson said: “We've just moved in to the building and a lot of work is still going on as we continue to make it the best place to work Bournemouth.

“Some of the windows have already been frosted, with more being done on Tuesday.”

She said that the company was working with Bournemouth University’s art students to offer them a window space to exhibit their work.

She added: “We're a very open company and passersby can see us at work – some computers can be seen from the window but no sensitive information can be seen by the naked eye and we're keeping vigil for anyone with paparazzi-style telescopic lenses until all our windows are finished.

“We welcome any visitors interested in what we do; we're keen to make finance more social which fits with our old-fashioned values."

The Information Commissioner’s Office are unable to comment on individual cases but said companies must adhere to the Data protection Act.

The Data Protection Act and information security

THE Data Protection Act says that: Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.

This is the seventh data protection principle. In practice, it means you must have appropriate security to prevent the personal data you hold being accidentally or deliberately compromised.

In particular, you will need to:

  • Design and organise your security to fit the nature of the personal data you hold and the harm that may result from a security breach;
  • Be clear about who in your organisation is responsible for ensuring information security;
  • Make sure you have the right physical and technical security, backed up by robust policies and procedures and reliable, well-trained staff; and;
  • Be ready to respond to any breach of security swiftly and effectively.

Amigo Loans: New office for 280 staff

Bournemouth-based Amigo Loans has taken up a 14-year lease on the ground floor of the Nova Building, which was completed on the site of Bournemouth’s old C&A store in 2009.

The office is designed to be a creative space with managers sitting amongst the 280 staff members.

Previously based on Richmond Hill, Amigo Loans lends money using guarantors to small businesses and individuals.

The ground floor will have an open-plan coffee shop style and will include on-site masseurs, a staff restaurant, hairdresser and sleep pod rooms where workers can have a 20-minute nap.

The owner, James Benamor:

AMIGO started in 2005 and now employs 280 staff.

James Benamor’s company has lent to 100,000 people and 20,000 small businesses and has won a string of awards.

Mr Benamor won the Ernst and Young entrepreneur of the year award in 2010 and featured on Channel Four’s Secret Millionaire programme.

He started his own company, the Richmond Group, in 1999 at the age of 21.