Not my debt on Credit cards

pippinsgirl

Hello all.

I have been the victim of a family member's financial problems, in that they took several credit cards out in my name. The credit card companies in question are aware that they were fraudently gained and the person in question has a debt management company who are paying them a reduced amount each month.

The problem is that it has affected my credit rating as obviously these accounts are appearing on my credit file as they are in my name. Several of the accounts also have defaults on them and as such i cannot get any credit at all.

I was considering paying them off myself as i want to get myself back on track. I was thinking of offering to pay the full amount (for one at least) and a certain amount each month for the others until they are paid and in return asking if the defaults could be removed.

My other option i can see is a notice of correction.

I am thinking that the first option is the best one, but how do i go about this? Some kind of letter? And would i have to inform the debt management company?

thank you.

never-in-doubt

pippinsgirl wrote: »

Hello all.

I have been the victim of a family member's financial problems, in that they took several credit cards out in my name. The credit card companies in question are aware that they were fraudently gained and the person in question has a debt management company who are paying them a reduced amount each month.

The problem is that it has affected my credit rating as obviously these accounts are appearing on my credit file as they are in my name. Several of the accounts also have defaults on them and as such i cannot get any credit at all.

I was considering paying them off myself as i want to get myself back on track. I was thinking of offering to pay the full amount (for one at least) and a certain amount each month for the others until they are paid and in return asking if the defaults could be removed.

My other option i can see is a notice of correction.

I am thinking that the first option is the best one, but how do i go about this? Some kind of letter? And would i have to inform the debt management company?

thank you.

If this is a case of ID theft and the banks know then the data must be removed from your file as it is not relevant to you. You should raise a dispute with the CRA and also demand to the banks that they remove all associated links and entries as it is clearly not you.

Just cos they used your details doesn;t mean you should have any bad effects. If they refuse seek legal advice but they must disassociate you. The CRA's are ultimately responsible for the removal so have a pop at them first and tell them to check with the banks as they can prove it isn't you and they know who the person is etc.... should be easily sorted though.

pippinsgirl

Really? As simple as that? Lol, i've been getting myself into a right mess about how to try and sort it. That never crossed my mind to ask the CRA (i'm assuming that's Credit reference agency?) to take them off. I shall try that! How do i go about that though? Just write a letter?

Thanks.

gizmo111

How could a relative get your card details into a DMP? Have you informed the bank of the fraud?

pippinsgirl

The banks are aware.
Quite simple, the debt management company were informed by the relative that they had taken out the cards in my name.

never-in-doubt

pippinsgirl wrote: »

The banks are aware.
Quite simple, the debt management company were informed by the relative that they had taken out the cards in my name.

bummer!

Yea, just write in to the 3 CRA's explaining your situation and that you have nothing to do with this and demand removal of all entries as it is a breach of data protection.

They may argue but i'd also look at ICO and see what they can do - just to hurry things up. Have a look at the ICO website and ring them when you get a chance, they will tell you what the CRA's should do. Then check with the FSA what the banks role should be.

ICO: http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/data_protection.aspx Tel: 01625 54 57 45

FSA: http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/ Tel: 0300 500 5000

ThinkingOfLinking

Thanks for the info, never-in-doubt. I'm in a similar situation; someone reopened cards I'd closed, from my old address, despite me having moved years ago, and I am battling to get the defaults removed from my records as I cannot get any credit at all; failing that, I'll have to stick it out til it becomes statute barred.

gizmo111

pippinsgirl wrote: »

The banks are aware.
Quite simple, the debt management company were informed by the relative that they had taken out the cards in my name.

But surely if the debt is still in your name then you will be responsible for paying them. The bank should take the debt out of your name and remove any trace of it,