Attempted fraud

danielbb

Hi, can anyone offer advice.

I got a letter today saying i had been rejected for credit from a catalogue, my address is shared accomedation so it could be any number of people. Is there anyway to stop things like this happening? can i report things like this?

Many thanks.

mark46327

This happened to me a few years ago. The risk is that there are more applications being made in your name. So, as quickly as you can contact the catalogue and explain that you didn't make the application. Ask them to register you for a CIFAS protective registration. This way anybody who receives an application from someone trying to be you will phone you and ask for a password you have decided upon. So no further applications have a chance of succeeding which is where you'll have problems if they did. If the catalogue company aren't willing to do this then you can do it yourself although it will cost you. See...

http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=808-85

A little hassle doing this now will probably save you a huge amount of hassle later!


Mark.

swiftnick

My wife was a victim of identity theft. Police weren't that interested, try registering with these guys

www.experian.co.uk

Nick

Browntoa

yes, another vote for cifas , no credit without your password

ukwiz

The problem with a cifas password is that you have to give the password in full to someone who rings you "out-of-the-blue"

I am having a problem with HBOS where I received a phone call from a branch where the company of which I am a director had applied for an account. I was asked for the password for my cifas flag which would then be sent up to head office.

I gave the first two letters and asked him to provide the next two to confirm that HBOS was an honest institution, but HBOS are insisting that I give them the full password or nothing.

Makes a joke of the bank's claim that "we will never ask for your password"!

max2009

The address could be blacklisted not really the persons name.

anniecave

address blacklisting does not exist!!! credit is unique to the individual.

OP - are you saying you applied for credit and were declined and think it is because of the address?

or are you saying you have received a letter regarding credit you did not apply for?

max2009

A friend went for a tv and was declined credit as they said his address had CCJS on it.He has got to write to experian even though he has never had CCJS.

naijapower

With regards to address being blacklisted, i must say it is possible in a way though most financial institution wont admit. The blacklist i refer to has to do with a fraud marker - CIFAS. It is normally registered against an address and shows up whenever anyone connected with the address applies for credit. Now CIFAS regulation is that when the flags comes up, lenders should proceed with caution and not decline. But in most cases, they are decline as they wish to be careful

James

For anyone who has been the victim of application fraud have a look at this system (click here From The East of Scotland Fraud Form).

Which ever system you use to protect yourself from ID theft ask yourself the following questions:

1. Which system is proactive?

2. Which system is designed to protect me.

3. Which system works with all lenders/credit facilitators?

4. Which system costs next to nothing.

5. Which system doesn't rely on passwords (which can be compromised).