Help! Someone tried to open a credit card in my name!

missmoon

Thankfully they turned them down.

They applied using the address I moved out of one year ago - fortunately I still have mail redirected from there so I saw the letter decling the card. If I did now have mail redirection I would never have known!

I just don't know what I should do now.

1) Am I entitled to see a copy of the application to see what else they know about me?

2) Will their attempt for a card and it's decline have an effect on my credit history / record?

3) How can I make sure that nothing else is being applied for in my name - I got a credit report a couple of months ago and all looked ok then - I can't really go getting reports every month to monitor it as it will get quite costly.

4) Is there anything I can do to stop this happening again?


Thanks for any help and suggestions.

C

Tixy

You do need to get copies of your credit files from all 3 agencies - I would say its worth the £6 it will cost to ensure they haven't been successful. At they very least you would expect to see this credit application appear on one or more of the reports. And as having lots of searches can make you look desperate for credit it can have a short term effect on your credit file.

I would contact the lender who declined the offer to say you didn't make the application and talk it through with them, they should also be able to remove the search from your credit file.

Then you might want to consider registering with CIFAS, which would stop anyone succeeding in getting credit in your name.

James

The best way to protect yourself now is to do what Tixy said, get copies of your Credit Files (for £2 each) from the 3 Credit Reference Agencies. (information below on how to get them).

It's very easy to deter someone using your personal information to make fraudulent applications. You can find out out how by clicking here (Free ID Protection).

There are links on the above site which will take you to the 3 Credit Reference Agencies (£2) Statutory Credit Reports.

Jojo1daffy

As above - obtain your credit reference files. If you register with creditexpert.co.uk (Experian) you get alerts every time something changes on your credit file - I think they do a free trial and then it's about £6 per month.
Also if you have the letter declining the applicant - ring the card company and tell them you have been impersonated and did not make the application. The person applying probably used your name and address because that's all they knew about you, and made up a DOB. That, with the combination of you being seen to move from the address will have prompted the decline. So if you have a search on your credit file you should be able to request that they remove it. They may also offer you CIFAS (fraud database) registration as a victim of fraud to protect you from this happening in the future.

Degenerate

And let's not forget, report the attempted fraud to the police - you know where the culprit lives.