Hi all.
This one is for the LR legal types out there. I need some advice. About 2 years ago I came home from vacation to several messages from Alberta Maintenance Enforcement on my answering machine They were saying I was in arrears. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. They had me confused with another guy. During the course of several back and forth phone calls, MEP sent garnishment paperwork to my employer. I caught it in time and prevented a potential disaster.
It turns out they got my phone number, and based only on that, started robocalling my phone. The trouble is, if you google my phone number, you get all of my info (address, etc) and would see that I’ve lived at the same location for 12 years, etc. From there with access to government databases, they would eventually been able to rule me out with me none the wiser. They got lazy however, and poked the wrong bear.
As a result of this I attempted to ensure this would never happen to anyone else. Letters were sent to MEP and the Minister of Justice who basically replied with “sorry for the inconvenience” and a pat on the head. I tried getting the Alberta Privacy Commissioner and Human Rights Commission involved but they wouldn’t touch it. I then got the Alberta Ombudsman’s office involved, who investigated, and returned with only a contingency to contact an employer before garnishment paperwork is sent. I count this as a small victory but I wanted investigative procedures changed to prevent this from occurring, and if it did occur, MEP was required to investigate how and fix it from happening again. MEP does not automatically investigate. I had to complain.
I’m leaving out some of the finer details, but they targeted me aggressively, and I am now returning the favor. It changed my relationship with my wife. Nothing like having her hand me the phone after hearing the messages and telling me " you got some s**t to deal with" and then waiting for two weeks to see if your going to have a paycheck or not.
Anyhow, here is the question. What recourse do I now have to push this issue? I’m playing with the idea of going to the media, but I need to be careful with that one. I don’t care if my details are all over the news. The other is to forward everything I have, with the exception of the obudsmans stuff (not allowed to be used anywhere), to the Wild Rose Party and see what happens in the court of public opinion. There is also the legal route of going after them in court. I’m not sure if this would be a waste of time or not.
Anyone out there familiar with Alberta Law? It would have been easier if they had gotten some money out of me so I could just automatically sue and be done with it. It irks me to no end they can use a shotgun approach to finding deadbeats with no consideration to the damage they can do to an intact family.
First your phone number is linked to your motor vehicle records, MEP is a branch of the government so they have access to that.
Have you talked with Service Alberta Special Investigations?
Civil action … Okotoks Lawyer is on the forum.
Agreed. When I met the Ombudsman Investigator I pointed out that with my phone number they can google and my address is listed. If you cross reference address and phone number against Motor Vehicles or tax records you get all my info. The kid on the phone at MEP got lazy and went right for the phone number. I talked to an RCMP officer about it and he couldn’t believe they only used the phone number. I will look into the Service Alberta investigations. Thanks for that.
It can get messy MEP can have your licence suspended, and the suspended driver program will seize your vehicle for 30 days (regardless of the underlying reason for the suspension).
Hi all.
It changed my relationship with my wife. Nothing like having her hand me the phone after hearing the messages and telling me " you got some st to deal with**" and then waiting for two weeks to see if your going to have a paycheck or not.
It would have been easier if they had gotten some money out of me so I could just automatically sue and be done with it. It irks me to no end they can use a shotgun approach to finding deadbeats with no consideration to the damage they can do to an intact family.
I’ve always heard things were better up there but the statement above seems very strange to me unless the tactics were extreme- like planting animal porn in your car. In the American legal system I don’t think you have a claim in a court as those damages you speak of are likely not foreseeable and reasonable. My suggestion was going to be call Faux4 News but you addressed your hesitation. If the issue is done, I would probably rant like I was going to do something then just let it go and take my wife out for a nice dinner and tell her to get on my team.
Agreed. When I met the Ombudsman Investigator I pointed out that with my phone number they can google and my address is listed. If you cross reference address and phone number against Motor Vehicles or tax records you get all my info. The kid on the phone at MEP got lazy and went right for the phone number. I talked to an RCMP officer about it and he couldn’t believe they only used the phone number. I will look into the Service Alberta investigations. Thanks for that.
If nothing else maybe talk to CBC (one of their investigative reporters…)