Mark Hoy, who runs HRH Legal and Financial Service, offered debt collection services, including the tracing of missing debtors. As part of the tracking process, firm employees telephoned various agencies and companies – effectively seeking personal data under false pretences, in breach of the Data Protection Act.
The company was charged with 16 offences under the Act, and Hoy faced the same charges personally, according to Leeds Today. He pled guilty at Leeds Magistrates Court and was fined £50 for each offence. The company was fined £100 per offence plus £500 in costs.