Recently, the number of citizens' complaints about creditors submitting their personal data to debt collectors has increased.

According to the chairman of Bulgaria's Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), Ventsislav Karadzhov, creditors do not have the right to share their customers' personal data with debt collection companies without their knowledge and consent.

"In practice, however, creditors comply with this statutory requirement by including texts in the contracts general terms and conditions, according to which customer's data may be shared with third parties. When considering complaints against creditors and debt collectors, the Commission monitors whether people have actually been informed in advance and have given their consent," Karadzhov told Bulgarian 24 Chasa Daily.

"Therefore, people need to know that prior to signing the contract, they must get thoroughly acquainted with all the terms and conditions in order to make sure they know of all the persons who have the right to use their personal data. Also, these texts should not be written in small and unreadable font," Karadzhov added.

He added that in case of a violation of these statutory requirements, the Commission is authorized to impose administrative penalties of up to BGN 20,000.

Karadjov said that PDPC will inspect the political parties which have been accused of citizens' personal data misuse, too.