Privacy Policy

Ben Whitcombe Ltd ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal data is handled responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you use our website and services.

We comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

We only collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you request a quote or contact us. This may include:

• Contact Information: Your name, telephone number, and email address
• Vehicle Information: Details about your vehicle such as make, model, registration number, and condition
• Location Information: Your address or postcode for collection purposes
• Communication Records: Records of correspondence between us

We do not collect any data automatically. We do not use cookies, analytics tools, tracking pixels, or any other technologies that automatically collect information about your browsing behaviour.

We use your personal information solely for the following purposes:

• To provide you with a quote for our scrap car, scrap van, or commercial vehicle collection services
• To respond to your enquiries and communicate with you about our services
• To arrange collection of your vehicle
• To complete the transaction and provide you with necessary documentation
• To comply with legal and regulatory requirements

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases for processing your personal data:

• Contract Performance: Processing is necessary to provide you with a quote and fulfil our services when you sell or scrap your vehicle with us
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as responding to enquiries and improving our services, where these interests do not override your rights
• Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with legal requirements, such as maintaining records under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

We do not sell, trade, rent, or otherwise share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Legal Requirements: When required by law, such as complying with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 or responding to valid legal requests from authorities
• DVLA Notifications: To notify the DVLA of vehicle disposal as required by law
• Service Providers: With trusted service providers who assist us in operating our business (e.g., IT support), who are bound by confidentiality obligations

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• Quote Enquiries: If you do not proceed with our services, we will delete your information within 12 months of your last contact with us
• Completed Transactions: We retain transaction records for 6 years to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, including the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 and tax legislation

After the retention period expires, your personal data will be securely deleted or anonymised.

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure storage of physical and electronic records
• Limiting access to personal data to authorised personnel only
• Using secure communication methods

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but will notify you and the relevant authorities if a data breach occurs that affects your rights.

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: You can request that we delete your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected] or call us on 01934 824976. We will respond to your request within one month.

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, we encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve your concerns.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's supervisory authority for data protection:

This website does not use cookies. We do not use any cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, analytics tools, or similar technologies that collect information about your browsing activity.

We do not track your visits to our website or collect any information about your device, browser, or location automatically.

Our website may contain links to external websites (such as the Environment Agency or Google Reviews). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us: