MY FAMILY bought a condominium unit from developer Soilbuild via property agent Knight Frank.
We were surprised when we received a deluge of unsolicited mail from property agents, estate services, interior designers, contractors and so on. When I called, most said the data could be easily bought from data-mining companies.
What is more shocking is that some of the mail listed the names of my family members in full (as in their identity card).
They know our current mailing address (a Housing Board flat) and some even called me direct on my mobile phone.
A property purchase is a private matter involving many thousands or even millions of dollars.
It is disturbing that the data is so readily available to anyone.
As the other parties involved in a property transaction are lawyers and government agencies (Building and Construction Authority, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and so on), it is probable the data was obtained from either the developer or property agent.
May I know what these two companies have to say about safeguarding clients' personal data?
Daniel Tan Yong Nam
