I recently took on a small block of units looked after by a Strata Corp company. Today I received a form and a letter in the mail from EBIX Trades Monitor which appears to be a company who provides a service to other companies checking on tradies who provide services for them. They say they are acting for the Strata Corp company. On the surface it appears fairly legit and not much to worry about. Although I did get a bit concerned about the depth of information they "require". They are asking for copies of things like
- Public/Product Liability
- Professional Indemnity
- Vehicle Insurance
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- Any trade related licenses
Then they say copies of the following are "required"
- Security Industry Lic
- Pest Control/ Inspections
- Work Cover Certification
- DIR Electrical (QLD)
- PIC Plumbing and ESV Electrical (VIC)
- OHS Systems Audit
- CFC National Trading Lic
- National High Risk Lic
Ok I says to myself I will give them what I have but start wondering why they need this and what they do with the privacy of the information. Further down the page it says that provision of the information constitutes acceptance of their Privacy Policy available on their website. That starts alarm bells ticking. Why not provide a copy so I can look at it.
So I go to their website and download the privacy policy and I am not at all happy with it. I have attached a copy so you can see for yourselves. They are basically saying if I provide the info they ask for I am agreeing to be bound by with everything in their Privacy Policy and their terms and conditions which they can change at anytime without notifying me. Yes you read that right.
They go on to say that providing information is at my own risk and they wont guarantee confidentiality of anything I supply. WTF.. Then this sentence got my attention.
"This information will be disclosed to organisations who may seek to use your services, and to Ebix Trades Monitor’s employees, representatives, officers, agents, and affiliates:" Really and just what is an affiliate?. Then the go on with this pearler
c) For any other legitimate business purpose
You release and Indemnify Ebix Trades Monitor from and against any improper use of the information so submitted to such organisations.
Just what is a legitimate purpose on their behalf with my confidential information. On selling it perhaps. It goes on and on and on.
There is no way I am submitting to these terms. First up tomorrow I am ringing the Strata Corp and telling them I am happy to provide copies of my insurances and certificates direct to them but no way in hell am I agreeing to do it via EBIX. If they dont like that I will walk away from it. This is BS and absolutely outrageous as far as I am concerned. I will be calling ASIC tomorrow as well. They are basically forcing tradies into agreeing with their terms if they want to service the company they provide a service for. And their terms are ridiculous and invasive.
Anyone had any experience with this mob before.