Identity Fraud

jazzyjustlaw · 25 August 2005 at 5:07PM

I just called my bank about something. At the end where they offer you some product you do not need they offered me insurance to protect me from identity theft. I was told that if I didnt have it and someone used my details to obtain credit that I would have to prove my innocence! How outrageous and even more so that they the banks cash in on it. Do they not know that English Law says the reverse?

I am now too worried to use the internet to make purchases etc. I am considering closing all bank accounts, credit cards until the managers of the same can offer me protection.

James · 25 August 2005 at 9:10PM

If you really want to take proactive steps to protect yourself from ID theft then consider this:

Taking Identity Fraud in Hand:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/3574779.stm

It deters.

Protects you from every being accused of first party fraud. (clears you name instantly).

It actually helps identifying any perpetrators.

It puts you, and not the financial services industry in control of your ID!

If you'd like to discuss, or if I can be of any further assistance drop me a personal email.

creditcardking_2 · 25 August 2005 at 9:29PM

James wrote:

If you really want to take proactive steps to protect yourself from ID theft then consider this:

Taking Identity Fraud in Hand:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/3574779.stm

It deters.

Protects you from every being accused of first party fraud. (clears you name instantly).

It actually helps identifying any perpetrators.

It puts you, and not the financial services industry in control of your ID!

If you'd like to discuss, or if I can be of any further assistance drop me a personal email.

Great idea

RichyRich · 7 October 2005 at 12:34PM

That's fantastic! Wish I'd've thought of it!

ManAtHome · 7 October 2005 at 2:44PM

All very well, but I'd have thought that the wording "must be validated by MY thumbprint" would ensure nobody offers him credit (apart from the Metropolitan Police maybe...).

angelatgraceland · 8 October 2005 at 1:54AM

I was recently a victim of identity theft-I only realised it when a mag I subscribed to didnt arrive and I got a letter to say there was a problem with the payment. It didnt registar at that point until something else didnt go through for some reason or other. This was on Barclaycard. I phoned them to ask why my payments were being rejeected(my card had not left my house). They told me I had moved recently and requested a new card. No and No. Luckily they asked my impersonator some questions they got too many wrong and the card was cancelled. They ordered me a new one to my new address apparantly. Thank goodness Barclaycard were vigilant! They were very helpful and askd me to password my new account with them-took no chances and they closed the old one. I have a feeling I must know this person-I aparantly only "moved" 2 miles away. I found out the address and it was a large expensive house, but the "letterbox" was on a post in the back lane-the type you have a key for. So maybe the keyyholder-not neccessarily the owner was my impersonator. No harm done in my case. The house was uninhabited and there were builders doing a refit. Thing is-not being far away-I got some insight into it. Most people never get this. I left it to Barclays to sort out.

Browntoa · 8 October 2005 at 6:25AM

there os a link to this from the BBC article but it is not really mentioned

http://www.identityfraud.org.uk/protective_registration.asp

part of the CIFAS online site

THE PROTECTIVE REGISTRATION SERVICE

If you have been the victim of a mugging or burglary and personal identification documents have been stolen, there is a risk they could be used by the thief to obtain credit or other products and services fraudulently in your name. For an administration fee of £11.75 (£10 plus £1.75 VAT) CIFAS offers a service, provided on their behalf by Equifax, to protect your name and address from being misused in this way.

You may contact Equifax, and request 'Protective Registration'. A CIFAS warning will then be placed against your address marked Category '0' which indicates the individual has been recorded on the CIFAS database at their own request for their protection. CIFAS members when undertaking a search against your address will see "CIFAS-DO NOT REJECT-REFER FOR VALIDATION", whatever name they search for. They will then contact Equifax to establish the reason for the entry.

As a result of the entry CIFAS members will verify further the identity of applicants, and in some cases request further proof of identification, and this may mean you personally experience delays while your credentials are fully checked out.

If you believe the identity of a deceased person may be used by a fraudster to obtain credit or other products and services, a CIFAS Protective Registration may be placed by a relative or executor against the deceased person’s address.

To apply for the CIFAS Protective registration service you will need to contact Equifax. You must supply the following details:

Your full name
Your date of birth
Your full address with postcode
The names of anyone else living at your address, and their date of birth
Your home and work telephone numbers including the dialling codes
A crime reference number if applicable
Details about why you want a Protective Registration
If applying to protect the identity of a deceased person, a copy of the death certificate will be required.

Once this information is received, the entry will be placed on the database and you will receive confirmation by post. You will also be sent some forms to complete after the registration has been made. You will then be required to send a cheque or supply credit card details for the administration fee. The data will remain on the database for at least a year from the date of the most recent fraudulent activity, but you can request the removal or extension of the Protective Registration by writing to Equifax.

Although Equifax provides this service on behalf of CIFAS, Protective Registrations are automatically passed to the other participating fraud prevention agencies within CIFAS. Click here to see who they are

To make a registration click here to download the form, complete and return to the following address:

CIFAS
PO Box 1141
Bradford
BD1 5UR

dinkylou · 10 October 2005 at 2:06PM

I was recently a victim of credit card fraud.

It was Egg who spotted it and told me about it and so know it was nt me.

Luckily I had followed my dads advice (he was stung before) and lowered my credit limit to the very minimum i needed.

So they only got away with £500 when it could have been £3000!!

Egg have been fine with me about it and reassured me.

Phew!

ioscorpio · 10 October 2005 at 2:14PM

I received a leaflet from A & L they charge £49.99 per year for the service

jazzyjustlaw · 11 October 2005 at 9:26AM

iomexico wrote:

I received a leaflet from A & L they charge £49.99 per year for the service

Its that which caused me to start this post. Offer us a service it so anoys me they should protect us for free.

Happy_Helen · 17 October 2005 at 11:41AM

Your identity is already on the internet at ancestry.com if your birth was registered after December 1983. It gives your full name, place of birth, mother's maiden name and month and year of registration. Together with all the record numbers to order a copy of your birth record!!!!!

Identity Fraud

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