Fraudulent very.co.uk credit accounts

CannyJock

soul619 wrote: »

reading this may help:

http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=565-85

Doesn't distinguish between different types of markers from the pages I could see.

Suggests that it's all innocuous, but then I'd expect that from their own website. Curious what real-life experience is.

John_Pierpoint

gsbikerboy1970 wrote: »

Im hoping that im in the right "thread" area.
My mother has just had a call from Argos reference an alleged debt for goods bought on one of there store cards. The issue is this: My mum has never had an argos store card. She tried to explain to the chap on the phone, but as she is a bit mutton said to blokey on phone that she would let her son (me) speak on her behalf. So, i introduce myself as mr. xxxxx, to which he asks for my first name and DOB, i say its "Mr" and im not giving you my DOB, at this point he asks to spk to Mrs.xxxx. Now my mum is shouting (why do old ppl do this???) down the phone "i cant hear you, you can talk to my son". Blokey then SHOUTS back, (im giggling now) WHAT IS YOUR SONS DOB?" to which mum, now apoplectic shouts back, EVEN louder, "im not telling you that, your going too far", and passes phone back to me....... Me: Hello. Argos: I need your DOB. Me: Why? have you lost yours??? Argos: Er, to, Er confirm who you are. Me: No you dont, youve been given permission by mrs.xxx At this point Argos went off on a tangent about "Data protection" etc, so i just let him go on until i here, " hello.... er.... hello are you still there?????? After a couple of mins he hung up.
The serious bit about this is that they have been informed previously that the alleged debt IS NOT my mums, she wasnt living at the alleged address at the time and at 76 really doesnt NEED the flash jogging machine, (with dynamic incline control) as she has a perfectly serviciable zimmer frame!
all advice happily recieved.
phil

Try being an executor of a dead person's estate - life gets really surreal.
Me You have sent a letter threatening court action for A/cxxxxxx @ 69 Acacias Crescent? This outstanding amount will not be paid. The house is empty and no gas has been consumed for 6 months. Send someone to read the meter.
BG We are only required to read the meter once in two years.
Me But I'm calling to tell you your customer cannot pay an over estimated bill.
BG I cannot discuss Miss Smith's account with you. I must speak with Miss Smith.(Data Protection bla bla bla)
Me. That is going to be very difficult - she is dead.
BG Are you her executor?
Me No I'm her personal representative - she died intestate.
BG I must speak to Miss Smith.
....
,,,,
Actually it was worse than that as these brain dead conversations went on for several weeks as the computer system got more and more desperate to get Miss Smith into court.

Eventually I got through to an intelligent sounding Indian woman, and we agreed that my meter reading would be acceptable in the circumstances.(By now I was dealing with "Recoveries")

When I phoned back with the reading, I got intelligent Indian woman's boss. OMG we were off again "I cannot speak to you......................" and I got a b0llocking for seducing Intelligent Indian woman into doing something intelligent.

As 2,000 people a day die, there must one or two who don't bother to make sure they are up to date on paying the gas bill and provide an accurate meter reading before they go?
I would expect a large organisation like BG accounts receivable, would at least have a specialist or two who understands that bankruptcy is based on the legislation for dying and understands the terminology - even if the average teenage muppet hasn't a clue.

My experience of identity fraud is here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=332339

nutty1

after being told by the people at very that my credit score won't be affected, i have just been turned down for a mobile phone contract, first time ever that i have been turned down for anything. they said it was because i had a mark on my account, i explained what had happened but they said unless i have a valid drivers licence or passport, i don't have neither, that it would be difficult to get any credit with anyone without this proof.
so after years of never having any debt i am now being punished for something that has nothing to do with me.

INT1

Do you not hold a passport or drivers licence?
The CIFAS marker applied is a Cat 2, which indicates your a victim of identity fraud. So it's all well they are asking for ID.

hullight

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Try being an executor of a dead person's estate - life gets really surreal.
Me You have sent a letter threatening court action for A/cxxxxxx @ 69 Acacias Crescent? This outstanding amount will not be paid. The house is empty and no gas has been consumed for 6 months. Send someone to read the meter.
BG We are only required to read the meter once in two years.
Me But I'm calling to tell you your customer cannot pay an over estimated bill.
BG I cannot discuss Miss Smith's account with you. I must speak with Miss Smith.(Data Protection bla bla bla)
Me. That is going to be very difficult - she is dead.
BG Are you her executor?

Sorry for the loss but it sounds like you went into it just looking for an argument which made your experience a lot more difficult.

Mr.Mulla

kathrynt wrote: »

after being told by the people at very that my credit score won't be affected, i have just been turned down for a mobile phone contract, first time ever that i have been turned down for anything. they said it was because i had a mark on my account, i explained what had happened but they said unless i have a valid drivers licence or passport, i don't have neither, that it would be difficult to get any credit with anyone without this proof.
so after years of never having any debt i am now being punished for something that has nothing to do with me.

if you have been a victim of ID theft, most likely that's the reason why they are requiring you a proof of identification. why don't you have a licence or passport? just asking...

benoit

Probably because they don't drive or go abroad. I don't have a license or passport either. It's not that unusual if you don't drive & don't go abroad.

I wouldn't pay the best part of £100 just to prove my identity with a passport i am never going to use or take driving lessons to get a driving license for a car i am never going to buy. What's the point? There are other ways to prove your ID anyway.

worried_jim

"Very" now want me to register my address on CIFAS as being subject to fraudulent use. I may yet do this, but obviously it will have repercussions for me in any future dealings for credit I might want to make.

Only in a positive way as it will prevent your details being used again by a fraudster. Put a pasword on your credit file straight away and you will have very little to worry about in the future.

benoit

If you have all the credit you need and don't plan to apply for anymore then it wont matter if it prevents you obtaining credit in future, if it protects you. You can always get it removed in advance if you need to apply for something in future. I quite like the idea of it for peace of mind.

worried_jim

benoit wrote: »

Probably because they don't drive or go abroad. I don't have a license or passport either. It's not that unusual if you don't drive & don't go abroad.

I wouldn't pay the best part of £100 just to prove my identity with a passport i am never going to use or take driving lessons to get a driving license for a car i am never going to buy. What's the point? There are other ways to prove your ID anyway.

Welcome to the modern world.