Have 1 in 4 really been a victim of ID fraud?

MSE_Martin

Sorry James I disagree.

When we're being sold the fear of ID thefty, its people looking into our bins, and the need for shredding thats being pushed - that someone may create and steal our ID and there will be a huge hassle to fix it.

The card fraud is something different and while I see your logic - that's not what the industry is trying to sell us as the big fear - whereas of course in reality that is a much more common issue.

admiralhanson

anewman wrote:

Thanks for your post. However, I wonder, is it possible to sue companies that put inaccurate information on a credit file? Obviously in this instance it has resulted in problems which have most likely affected you financially, so surely whoever makes the mistake is financially responsible...

I did enquire at the time, as I think it screwed up a mortgage application, but was told by a solicitor that there wasn't grounds for bringing a case against them.

One route I should have, but didn't (because I had other issued to deal with at the time) was hammering them through breach of Data Protection regualtions.

James

MSE_Martin wrote:

Sorry James I disagree.

When we're being sold the fear of ID thefty, its people looking into our bins, and the need for shredding thats being pushed - that someone may create and steal our ID and there will be a huge hassle to fix it.

The card fraud is something different and while I see your logic - that's not what the industry is trying to sell us as the big fear - whereas of course in reality that is a much more common issue.

Martin - ID Fraud according to CIFAS is up by another 22%

I, like the Americans would class card fraud as ID theft, either through application fraud, where someone uses your details and information for financial gain, or account takeover, where someone uses your card with PIN or Signature, or passbooks, cheques etc to hit your accounts.

Industry and Insurance Companies answers are reactive. Consumers are asked to check their credit files, to help spot applications they didn't make. Other advice is to make sure you personal information is secure, both physically and electrically.

Being a victim of any type of fraud, as stories in the Forum support is harrowing and costly for individuals no matter what the outcome.

My system is proactive, deterring application fraud and account takeover for face to face transactions using plastic. It could, with the industries blessing and support, prevent more types of plastic card fraud.


The essence of my system is that the Industry and Crooks don't have a say.

The system is driven by the individual, designed to protect the individual, renders personal information almost worthless and is the cheapest form of PROACTIVE ID Theft Protection available. Therefore I say, look again Martin, here's a money saving tip.

Wouldn't you like to think if someone tried to pinch your ID they'd provide forensic evidence, clearing your good name instantly?

Mark7799

More news from the 'Department of Guesswork':rolleyes:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5256992.stm

yung

B. Last year I went to Gibraltar and used the cash machine, on my return I noticed a couple of withdrawal on my statement that was made in the UK on the date I was in Gibraltar. I informed the Bank and it took me nearly 2 months to convince them that I could not have uesd my card in the UK as the withdrawal was on the same date I was using the cash machine in Gibraltar. apparently it was an inside job so I was told.

IvanOpinion

Mark7799 wrote:

More news from the 'Department of Guesswork':rolleyes:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5256992.stm

Interesting article however I think that the opening line is relevant 'Nearly one in 10 people believe they have fallen victim to identity fraud, according to a survey. ' ... in particular the word 'believe' ... which I have seen translated in other articles to the word 'claim'.

Some people simply do not remember buying stuff and so claim 'fraud' ... some people have no idea what fraud is and therfore claim it due to simple 'mistake' (e.g. a direct debit being taken twice etc.) ... on the other hand I am aware of a couple of occasions (so would guess that there are a lot more) were people go out and buy expensive stuff and then claim 'fraud' so that they get their money back.

I have seen a couple of mistakes on my credit card statements and quite honestly it was absolutely no hassle ... phone up credit card company, put items in dispute, they send me out letter confirming this, I pay remainder of bill, 4-10 weeks later they send letter confirming items were incorrect ... end of story. If people get any more hassle than this then they should change their credit card company.

Ivan

electricblue_2

C has happened to me twice within the past year - both times cheque books that I had not requested, and therefore I was not expecting, were intercepted in the post, and attempts made to defraud me of almost £800 last year, then £7,500 a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately, I spotted the first 2 cheques whilst they were being processed on a mini-statement, so the bank was able to stop the transactions being completed. The credit card company rang me about the recent £7,500 attempt.

One of my sisters has had A

humfer

. Not ID fraud but card/account had false transactions

To be fair though Mint were fantastic in sorting it all out

ladysurrey

B. Not ID fraud but card/account had false transactions

This happened on hubbies mastercard account he received a phonecall as they creditcard company had picked up about 5 transactions and queried the delivery addresses with us. One was for 5 mobile phones and an example.

The lady from the fraud department was very good and we had to fill in a few forms to sort the matter out, so it was hardly and inconvinience, hardest thing was waiting 3/4 days for new cards to be delivered.

About a month after all this just when you think the matter had finished we received a telephone call from a catalouge company again to query why he wanted items deleived to a different address. We told them we had had a few fraudulent transactions on the card.

Then the lady wanted to know hubbys d.o.b. and he asked her how she had our phone number and suddenly the caller cut the line, so we rang the fraud department to let them know that the matter may still not be resolved and they agreed that they probably had all the details from a previous order he made on-line giving over his details including our phone number. Thieves share this information, which explains why the orders were spread around the country. They were now probably moving over to other sites where a d.o.b. was being requested to enable orders to go ahead.

So now we are having to wait to see if they are using his details to get other items or attempt to take over his identity.

James

Maybe you should have include B as ID Fraud.

B. Not ID fraud but card/account had false transactions

Surely if someone uses your card fraudulently or account details then they are pretending to be you.? This IMHO is ID Fraud.