Guidance for Responding to Threatening Correspondence Originating from a Professional Association’s Disclosure
Introduction
If you are a member in good standing of a professional association and you receive a threatening letter from a law firm, which you discover resulted from your association releasing your contact information, it is important to take measured and informed steps. The following guidance is tailored for Canadian professionals and reflects both privacy considerations and best practices for protecting your rights.
1. Do Not Respond Immediately to the Threatening Letter
Take time to read the letter carefully and avoid any immediate reaction. Responding hastily could inadvertently harm your position or escalate the matter.
2. Review the Letter’s Content and Nature
- Identify the sender (law firm, lawyer, or specific individual).
- Determine the specific threats or demands outlined in the letter.
- Assess whether the threats are legal in nature (e.g., allegations of misconduct, demands for payment, or threats of legal action).
3. Confirm How Your Contact Information Was Released
Contact your professional association in writing to:
- Request clarification on whether and why your contact information was shared with the law firm.
- Ask for a copy of the association’s privacy policy or any records of consent you may have given for information sharing.
- Inquire under what legal authority or policy your information was released.
4. Assess Potential Privacy Violations
In Canada, the release of personal information by a professional association is governed by federal and provincial privacy laws (such as PIPEDA or relevant provincial acts). If you believe your personal data was shared without proper consent or justification, you may have grounds for a privacy complaint.
- Document all interactions with the association and the law firm.
- Keep copies of all correspondence and the envelope in which the letter was delivered.
5. Consult Legal Counsel
Seek advice from a lawyer, especially if the letter contains threats of legal action or appears to be part of a dispute. A lawyer can:
- Help you understand your rights and obligations.
- Draft a response, if appropriate.
- Advise on filing a privacy complaint or pursuing other remedies.
6. Consider Filing a Privacy Complaint
If your privacy rights may have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or the relevant provincial privacy commissioner.
- Provide detailed documentation of the incident and correspondence.
- Explain the impact of the disclosure on your well-being or professional standing.
7. Notify Your Professional Association of the Impact
Express your concerns to the association’s leadership or ombudsperson. This may prompt internal review and policy changes to prevent future incidents.
8. Monitor for Further Issues
Be alert for additional correspondence or any signs of identity theft, harassment, or professional repercussions. Keep a log of any related incidents.
Conclusion
Receiving a threatening letter after your professional association releases your contact information can be distressing. Taking organized, informed steps such as documenting everything, seeking legal advice, and using privacy complaint mechanisms will help protect your rights and prompt your association to uphold higher privacy standards.
33 Responses
I previously raised concerns about ODA member dentists’ information, including private contact details, being posted on this website without dentists’ consent. My comment was deleted, and the response I received was that this was all public information. This is not accurate. Our component society does not maintain a public website that shares such information, and the only way this data could have been obtained is from the private members only section of the ODA website with a login.
It is completely unethical for a dentist to take private ODA member information and republish it without consent. For this website to not only allow such a breach but also delete comments raising legitimate concerns shows a troubling lack of accountability. Blocking comments does not change the fact that what is happening here is wrong, and I am not shocked if someone behind this website has received a legal letter.
I NEVER agreed to have my name or position on my Component Society executive posted publically online! This information was NOT public, it was only known to a select group of dentists! Now that it’s out there, I feel like I’m being targeted by phishing and other attacks because my position is publicly visible! This is completely unacceptable!
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/millions-in-skills-development-fund-grants-went-to-ontario-pc-donors-fuelling-claims-its-a-slush-fund/
Choose wisely when deciding who you want representing your interests and the profession.
The ODA has been ineffective for many years.They have done a great sales job to us but have not delivered any results.Look at the next 2 people in line to be the ODA President.They are puppets of the CEO who has controlled them for years.
The CEO and his puppets need to be removed immediately.
We don’t have anymore time and members dues to waste.
The ODAs yearly budget is over 20 million dollars.Most of it is wasted on salaries, payments, expenses and other hidden expenses paid to the board members,CEO and a few senior staff.
The CEO thinks that members funds are his own piggy bank and legal slush fund.
He and his lackys need to be fired