Loan reference/referee

Kazipoo

Last night a neighbour came around to discuss some problems she is having with her immediate neighbour, and whilst she was here, she dropped into the conversation that her partner had used my name as a reference or referee on a loan application. He apparently only used me because I had recently sent them an invitation to our halloween party and it had our home phone number on.... apparently you can't use someone as a reference if they only have a mobile number, it has to be a landline.

I was obviously quite miffed that they had gone ahead and done that without my permission, and I told her that, but she assured me that the reference is only to confirm that he is the person he says he is. Obviously I do not want to be financially linked to these people anyway, but they haven't got the best ethos when it comes to paying debts and I am pretty sure they have their fingers in pies I really don't want to know about.

Can anyone tell me if being a reference will link me in any way to these people, and if so, is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks x

never-in-doubt

Report it to the cops - fraud isn't it?

But seriously, they could have used you as a guarantor which means if they default, you're liable! However usually the lender would contact the guarantor so again, something seems amiss.....

Kazipoo

Thats what I thought too, so I have emailed her and asked her for the name of the company so that I can keep a look out for it on my credit file. Tbh I really don't think the police would do anything, they would probably tell me its a civil matter and to employ a solicitor.

Do you think that contacting the company to find out what they do with my details might be an idea?

never-in-doubt

Of course it isn't civil - its fraud (i.e. criminal law)......

Report to the cops and let them deal with it - they will get to the bottom of things and also notify the lender etc as appropriate.

Anihilator

I think it depends on whether you are a reference or a guarantor.

If your a reference then it seems pointless as they would normally want someone who can say their a good payer (i.e landlord). If you are a guantor they would need more info than a name and number and you would have to sign something.

I would ask to see copies of what he filled in and clarify what you are. If you are a guarantor get the loan cancelled and police involved. If its a reference only the worst you can do is let the loan company know and ruin the loan.

Kazipoo

Thanks for the replies.... I agree Anihilator, there is obviously a huge difference between being a reference and a guarantor, and tbh I wouldn't put it past them to have made me a guarantor without my knowledge. I am pretty sure she said it was a company called One Loans, but I honestly can't remember, although I do remember having never heard of the company. I have emailed her to ask her for more information, and I'll let you know what I find out.

Kazipoo

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Of course it isn't civil - its fraud (i.e. criminal law)......

Report to the cops and let them deal with it - they will get to the bottom of things and also notify the lender etc as appropriate.

I know what you are saying is true, but believe me when I say we had a problem a few years back with someone who was using our old address to gain credit, and the police refused to deal with it. They said it is a civil matter, I said it is a fraudulent act, they said prove it, I provided them with all the details and to this day they have never been in touch with me to remedy the situation. I did however get in touch with any company that wanted to get in touch with her through my address (usually when she had not paid) and I told them her actual address, which was the same number as mine, with the same street name but I was crescent and she was grove!

On another occasion one of our old neighbours, again at our old address was causing damage to our cars and the police refused to investigate, claiming it was a matter for the councils ASBO team... they seem to have lazyitis around here lol.

never-in-doubt

Kazipoo wrote: »

I know what you are saying is true, but believe me when I say we had a problem a few years back with someone who was using our old address to gain credit, and the police refused to deal with it. They said it is a civil matter, I said it is a fraudulent act, they said prove it, I provided them with all the details and to this day they have never been in touch with me to remedy the situation. I did however get in touch with any company that wanted to get in touch with her through my address (usually when she had not paid) and I told them her actual address, which was the same number as mine, with the same street name but I was crescent and she was grove!

On another occasion one of our old neighbours, again at our old address was causing damage to our cars and the police refused to investigate, claiming it was a matter for the councils ASBO team... they seem to have lazyitis around here lol.

Things have changed somewhat, there are now clearer laws to protect people from ID Theft of any nature. The scenario you mention was different in that the bank or lender would report the fraud to the police which would in turn allow them to investigate.

The old address etc had nothing to do with you directly, as in the current case.

As this matter involves you directly then it is fraud - the lender is not out of pocket, as such, so they will not report it - you need to. Even a knock on the neighbours door (by the cops) should be enough to stop them doing it again!

At least you know not to invite them to any more parties! :rolleyes:

Kazipoo

never-in-doubt wrote: »

At least you know not to invite them to any more parties! :rolleyes:

Lol true.... either that or just put my mobile number on invites from now on eh???

iolanthe07

You cannot be held liable as a guarantor if you have not signed an agreement.

~Brock~

iolanthe07 wrote: »

You cannot be held liable as a guarantor if you have not signed an agreement.

Completely agree.

Referee = A person who can provide a testament that they know a particular person and can confirm various facts about them

Guarantor = Agreeing to honour a persons commitment if that person fails to honour it themselves.

The two words have completely different meanings and should not be confused as being the same. I fail to see how fraud is involved here.

In reality, some lenders ask for this information to help them if the customer goes AWOL.

Apart from the rather assumptive actions of the OP's neighbour in providing this info, I fail to see the issues that may be at stake here, save for the inevitable conspiracy theories :rolleyes: