What a headache! Moving home and ID Fraud...

ian128

Hi all,

I am not sure if this is 100% the right place to post about this, but I have searched around the forums and this seemed the best sounding place...

In a nutshell: I am concerned about a potential case of ID fraud against me - what could someone potentially do with my payslip and P45 form? I''m not sure what info is in a P45 form (first time I've left a job...) but I know my payslip has my NI number; NI category; Tax Code; Bank Sort Code and Account Number.

I am very very vigilant about personal data security - so I am quite angry about my previous employer landing me in this predicament.
Having left the job, they obviously sent out my last payslip and P45 form to my address... unfortunately I have recently move homes!!!
BUT I also did my part and called in a couple of weeks ago to give details of my new address. For whatever reason, this was not passed onto payroll and they used my old address. :mad:

I am naturally quite concerned now. I called my bank and they 'assured' me that I am not at much risk - as with the account number and sort code, all one can do is pay into the account.

I would REALLY appreciate any kind of advice on what I should/can do about this...

Thank you all in advance!

maninthestreet

Surely you arranged with the Royal Mail to have your mail re-directed from your old address to your new one?

ian128

If I have one failing and regret... then that would be it now... No I decided against - with good reason I might add (though obviously it doesn't look as good at this moment in time...)

I had very very little post coming to that home that I only lived in for just a year (seriously, I had more pizza flyers than proper mail). All of my statements (bank, mobile) are done online. In addition I decided to take it upon myself to notify all the relevant agencies (not many at all) of my change of address well in advance, so I just felt it wasn't worth the redirection fee.

Ggrrr... As I said I did also inform my employer...

Jowo_2

Look at the CIFAS website. They offer protective registration.

A CIFAS warning flag marked Protective Registration is placed against your name and personal details which indicates the individual has been recorded on the CIFAS database for their protection. CIFAS Members when undertaking a search against your name and personal details will see "CIFAS-DO NOT REJECT-VALIDATION REQUIRED".
As a result of the entry, CIFAS Members will undertake additional verification checks to ascertain that the applicant is genuine and not a fraudster trying to commit identity theft. This may mean you personally experience delays while your application is verified, but offers reassurance that your identity is protected against fraudulent applications in your name.

ian128

Thank you for that CIFAS info.

I stumbled across that earlier as I was frantically scouring the internet for any sort of information...

Can I ask my bank to close the compromised account and set me up with a new one?

Bearing in mind that I did call my bank earlier and they assured me that my account is not under major threat - simply because with just the sort code and bank account number all someone call do is pay into it and not withdraw money out? Is this true or am I being told to "calm down"...

By that token, is there any threat to having my NI number 'exposed'?

I will probably go ahead with CIFAS' protective registration just for security sake, and will check my credit report - I may as well, as it'd be my first time doing so... might as well start getting in the habit of credit vigilance.

1echidna

ian128 wrote: »

Thank you for that CIFAS info.

I stumbled across that earlier as I was frantically scouring the internet for any sort of information...

Can I ask my bank to close the compromised account and set me up with a new one?

Bearing in mind that I did call my bank earlier and they assured me that my account is not under major threat - simply because with just the sort code and bank account number all someone call do is pay into it and not withdraw money out? Is this true or am I being told to "calm down"...

By that token, is there any threat to having my NI number 'exposed'?

I will probably go ahead with CIFAS' protective registration just for security sake, and will check my credit report - I may as well, as it'd be my first time doing so... might as well start getting in the habit of credit vigilance.

Every time you write a cheque someone has your sort code and account number and if you are required to write your address on the back that too. Having said that the risk is not absolutely zero as Jeremy Clarkson found out when he broadcast his sort code and account details to the nation. Somebody succeeded in opening a standing order on his account to some charity (I forget which).

Ian_W

I think you need to chill a little bit!

Do you have a cheque book for your account? If "yes" have a look at it, it has your account number and sort code on, as will you debit card, at least mine does.

Have you tried to contact your LL or whoever is now at your old address to see if they can forward or you can collect any mail?

EDIT: 1echidna posted whilst I was typing. As stated no-one is totally immune but the data "they" have at the moment is fairly low key and "they" don't have your current address.

ian128

Yea, I read that too! Which is what got me worrying! I think the charity was Diabetes UK or something like that...

But then that was Jeremy Clarkson... and broadcasting something like that was basically a bit of dare for people to 'have a go - I give you permission' sort of thing.

ian128

Ian_W wrote: »

I think you need to chill a little bit!

Do you have a cheque book for your account? If "yes" have a look at it, it has your account number and sort code on, as will you debit card, at least mine does.

Have you tried to contact your LL or whoever is now at your old address to see if they can forward or you can collect any mail?

EDIT: 1echidna posted whilst I was typing. As stated no-one is totally immune but the data "they" have at the moment is fairly low key and "they" don't have your current address.

I agree with the chilling part! This was certainly one headache I could do without at the moment!

TBH, I can't remember when I last used my cheque book... come to think of it... where IS MY CHEQUE BOOK? Lol, it's probably still buried somewhere amongst my moving boxes.

I am trying to pursue the 'collect my mail' option - been in contact with the letting agent, who informs me that my old apartment has been let out, so I'd have to deal with the new tenants - but I cannot contact them directly, I have to wait for the letting agent to do so on my behalf... Which is fair enough I suppose (Data Protection and all), but it's just quite frustrating waiting on others...

Regarding your last point in the EDIT: "the data "they" have at the moment is fairly low key and "they" don't have your current address" - suppose they did have my new current address - how much more should I be panicing by?

LizzieS_2

Sortcode and account number is sufficient to create a direct debit or standing order, but both require a signature. Ask your bank to phone you with details of all new DD/SO's - they should be able to mark your records to create extra security checks.

Go to the previous house and politely ask if there is any mail - you know there is, but it could be in their bin by now.

Jowo_2

ian128 wrote: »

I am trying to pursue the 'collect my mail' option - been in contact with the letting agent, who informs me that my old apartment has been let out, so I'd have to deal with the new tenants - but I cannot contact them directly, I have to wait for the letting agent to do so on my behalf... Which is fair enough I suppose (Data Protection and all), but it's just quite frustrating waiting on others...

There is no legal obligation for occupants to retain or forward mail for previous occupants. If they want to cooperate when there is Royal Mail redirection for this, then fine, but there have been threads posted on this forum by tenants who have resented requests to do this type of thing.