The importance of up to date, accurate and complete information

1. The importance of up to date, accurate and complete information

2. Information is only useful if it is • Up-to-date • Accurate • Complete

3. Up-to-date • Information always needs to be date stamped so that no out of date information can be used. • Under the terms in the Data Protection Act 1998 there is a legal requirement for personal data to be kept up-to-date.

4. Organisations could be sued if out of date personal information causes any loss to the person the information is about. • Not keeping the data up to date could lead to prosecution as there is a legal requirement under the Data Protection Act 1998 to keep it up to date. • You could send a letter threatening legal action for a bill that records show have not been paid but which the customer has paid and the data has not been updated. • A letter could be sent to somebody who had died which would distress the family.

5. Accurate • Information must be as accurate as possible as it can cause many problems if it isn’t.

6. Customers could be sent the wrong items which would cost money and upset the customer.