Victim of identity fraud -how would this cashback scam work?

martin57

Hi,

Further to an earlier thread in which I stated that someone has fraudulently set up direct debits with my correct address and bank details. I have received life assurance policies from legal and general, Engage, Liverpool Victoria, and pet insurance from Homebase and liverpool Victoria, and God knows whats to come yet.

I have had to cancel the policieis with all the companies close my bank account, and informed the police.

One of the insurance comapnies said today without any prompting from me that its probably a casbacksite scam that they get a lot of this. I have been a member of at least a dozen of cashbacksites in the past, so I fail to see where the person who is doing this can profit from it unless they are a casshback site owner.

any advice would be gratelfully received including advice as to whether it could affect my credit rating.

many many thanks
Martin57

geordie_joe

martin57 wrote: »

I have been a member of at least a dozen of cashbacksites in the past, so I fail to see where the person who is doing this can profit from it unless they are a casshback site owner.

That's because you think cashback sites are the only sites getting paid to send customers to retailers.

Ordinary people have been doing this a lot longer than cashback sites.

For a none cashback site owner to profit from this, all they have to do is set up a web site or blog. Join some affiliate networks, advertise insurance companies and use your details to sign up to policies from those companies.

You, or the police, should be able to contact the companies and find out who got paid for the sign ups. The affiliate manager is the person to contact.

martin57

Thank you geordie joe, that is definately worth think about getting in contact with the affiliate manager.

Just wondering if the companies check that its a valid account before they set up the direct debit, maybe if they do then they won't send policy documents to me if my account is closed?

If anyone knows I'd be grateful.

Thanks again
Martin57

geordie_joe

martin57 wrote: »

Thank you geordie joe, that is definately worth think about getting in contact with the affiliate manager.

You have to remember that the customer services will know nothing of the affiliate manager, and that may not even be his job title, so they can't "look him up on a staff list". Often they are part of the IT dept, and looking after the affiliate side of things is just part of their job. So if the CS don't know, ask them to ask in the IT or Sales depts.

martin57 wrote: »

Just wondering if the companies check that its a valid account before they set up the direct debit, maybe if they do then they won't send policy documents to me if my account is closed?

If anyone knows I'd be grateful.

Thanks again
Martin57

I don't know for sure, but I would expect they will just check to see if the bank account is real. If it is, and they know the money will come from there, they will set up the account.

If they have not sent the documents yet, you may be able to stop them. Although I doubt it will be s simple as making a phone call, as they can't be sure that you are really who you say you are.

Just thought of something else. What is to stop someone, who has your details, joining a cashback site and taking out insurance in your name, then having the cashback paid to a false bank account? No need to own a cashback site, or even a web site or blog.

geordie_joe

Just had another thought.

If someone is doing this for the cashback, they must know about affiliate marketing and/or cashback sites. Which means they must know that it takes ages to get paid. At the very best it is 30 days after the month you you earn the cashback, often a lot longer.

They must know you will have done something about it long before they get paid. You will contact the companies involved and they will cancel the cashback.

Are you sure it's not just someone with a grudge against you, doing it just to annoy you

martin57

mmmmm Joe I can think of a few people including someone at my bank who might have felt I was annoying her, (I was chasing up a currency exchange cheque) but don't think she would have done that, but who knows.

martin57

teffers

I've had pretty much the same thing happen (and continue to be happening) to me, although they aren't using my correct financial details, only my name and address.

About 15 sign ups so far, which I cancel as they come through but the last few months they've started chaning my energy supplier, and that takes several weeks to sort out if it isn't caught in time.

I'm in dialogue with both Topcashback and Quidco althouh it seems to be Topcashback most of the transactions are being made through.

I'm trying to get the police to deal with it but it's an uphill battle.

This has been going on for 3 months now and I'm just amazed that anyone can instigate an energy supplier change with just an address, nothing else required, not even the name (although they have mine in this case).
.As for the cashback being stopped before it's paid, well all I can think is they hope some slip through, and it's very possible some do, even though the transactions have been cancelled.

AnonymousForObviousReason

teffers, with the police tell them it's harassment and make sure they follow it up else threaten to complain they're not taking it seriously, use anything to get them involved - Over the top but I know someone that shouts racism if he's ignored (they are Irish)

Also have you spoken to your energy supplier to ensure they have a note to call you back if switched? Would understand if not able to do that else they would probably claim everyone needs that before can be moved.

teffers

Thanks AFOR I'll keep at the police as I realise they are the key to stopping the situation continuing.

I've spoken to my existing supplier and the customer service person that's been helping me has offered to check my account each week until further notice, cancelling any requests for change of suppliere. so that will really help.

Topcashback has also told me they have several accounts that are under suspicion in my case and they are investigating.

teffers

Just a quick update:

Put yet another call into the police and left another msg for the PCSO 'dealing' with this to call me back, if I don't hear anything in the next week I'll have to start wrting letters of complaint

I know it's not exactly a priority but we all know it's about as simple as it gets to obtain an IP which in most cases leads straight to the person committing the crime ... I just dread the post EVERY morning now waiting for the next thing they've taken out in my name.

Paul_Varjak

I suggest that you get PROTECTIVE REGISTRATION with https://www.cifas.org.uk. It costs around £15 per year. Many big companies are registered with CIFAS and when checking your details with the three credit reference agencies will, if they see a CIFAS PROTECTIVE REGISTRATION marker on file, take extra steps to verify your identity when you (or someone using your name) applies for credit.

You could also register with https://www.creditexpert.co.uk and by checking daily your credit file, you would see immediately if any company does a search of your credit file. If any company does search your file without your permission, it is almost certainly someone using your details fraudulently.