I think my identity has been stolen

jd87

This is going to sound like a joke but it honestly isn't. I've just opened two letters from Pet Insurance companies welcoming me and telling me they will start taking direct debit payments for the pet insurance on my cat. I don't have a cat.

It's all in my name and has my bank account details. My bank is Natwest but I checked on their website and you can only report identity fraud during working hours. Isn't this fairly urgent?

Who is responsible for sorting this out? My bank? The Pet Insurance companies? Do I contact the police even?

Update Please see below.

zppp

jd87 wrote: »

It's all in my name and has my bank account details. My bank is Natwest but I checked on their website and you can only report identity fraud during working hours. Isn't this fairly urgent?

Well it is not as urgent as you losing a debit card in my opinion. The payments are direct debits not card payments. Incorrect direct debit payments can be refunded straight away. I suggest calling direct banking on 0845 604 1 604 and cancel the direct debits. I would suggest contacting the bank's ID fraud team Monday and let them know. If you notice any other suspicous transactions by point of sale, contact the bank immediately on the above number and ask to go through to debit card fraud.

jd87 wrote: »

Who is responsible for sorting this out? My bank? The Pet Insurance companies? Do I contact the police even?

The bank will deal with any payments etc, but may not be able to investigate and find the culprit. So you may want to contact the police and get a crime reference number.

masonic

This is certainly cause for concern, because somebody has obviously set out to sign you up for things you don't want, but this doesn't seem like a typical case of identity theft. For one thing, nobody could hope to profit from doing this and they have effectively 'tipped you off' before they have had any chance to do any damage. It looks like somebody knows your name, address and bank details and has decided to use them maliciously. If those details are all they know, then they won't be able to get at your money.

This should be easily resolved by contacting the companies concerned, who should cancel the policies and you can also follow up with your bank. Waiting until Monday to do so will not be a problem.

busiscoming2

If you bank via the internet, then you can access your direct debits online and see if in fact they have been set up.

pmduk

Many direct debits do not appear on your account now until the first payment has been taken. The bank staff cannot cancel these until the first payment has been claimed. In similar circumstances I asked the bank to note that there was a problem and checked my account each morning until the payment had appeared. I was then able to cancel it.

I'd also contact the companies concerned notifying them that you haven't authorised the direct debit. Confirm it in writing and copy the letters to your bank. This will create a paper trail which will enable you to prove that you have taken every opportunity to avoid the problem.