An Angus Council benefits service worker is at the centre of “remedial” proceedings for accessing a couple’s records with personal interest.
Michael Cox and Michelle Donaldson were dealing with a housing and homelessness charity over problems at their Newbigging address.
The couple contacted Shelter following suspicions that their benefits application was being handled incorrectly.
Initial concerns were allayed by the local authority but an official approach by Shelter Scotland has confirmed wrongdoing.
Angus Council has moved to assure tenants that the revenues and benefits service is “tightly controlled” to prevent such occurrences.
A council spokeswoman said: “This matter will be reviewed by senior management in accordance with the council’s staffing procedures.”
In a telephone call on August 27, Mr Cox raised concerns about a member of staff accessing his information and was advised they did not have his details.
A letter to Shelter Scotland from the council’s head of finance, Ian Lorimer, said: “At the time of the conversation this information was believed to be correct, however upon further investigation it has been established that the member of staff did in fact access his customer records.
“However, following Mr Cox’s telephone call, remedial action has been taken, with the member of staff being restricted from accessing this account and all staff have been reminded of their responsibilities.”
Shelter Scotland’s Dundee offices were approached for a statement but said they do not comment on individual cases.
The local authority said its data protection safeguards are set up on an honour system where employees state any properties or individuals they may have a personal interest in.