ID theft energy supply problem

jd87

I am currently dealing with a case of ID theft, someone is using my name, address and bank details to sign me up to various things - it's probably a cashback sites scam. Most companies seem to be dealing with it ok but I'm a bit worried about my dealings with British Gas.

The address where this stuff is happening is actually my parents. I no longer live there so I don't have any responsibility for their gas and elec supply. They are currently with EDF, in their name, and they would like it to stay that way. Unfortunately they received a "sorry you are leaving" type letter from EDF. My mum phoned EDF and they told her that a request to transfer to British Gas had been received, and (after speaking to BG) they found that the request to transfer had been done in my name.

I then immediately called British Gas on the complaints number given by EDF and explained the situation. The guy I spoke to took all the details, and he told me that the sign up was done on the BG website. I'm still not entirely sure he understood (or possibly believed?) what the problem was, and he just said someone from the "premier complaints department" would call me back. After a few days I'm still waiting to hear from them so I called up and was just told someone is dealing with it and will call me soon. When the person I spoke to confirmed my contact details they gave the email address given on the website during sign up - nobody had even bothered to note on the system that this is not my real email address (despite me discussing this with the advisor during the first call a few days ago). If they had tried to contact me on that, not only would I not have received it, but the fraudster may have received it and replied instead!!

Is this the correct way this should all be dealt with? Through the complaints people? They seem to be dealing with it as a simple complaint or erroneous transfer and they don't seem in any hurry to deal with it.

Isn't there a fraud department that can deal with this more quickly and competently?

Cardew

he told me that the sign up was done on the BG website.

If you sign up on the BG website surely you don't get any 'cashback'.

jd87

Clicked through from Quidco or TCB or something is what I was assuming.

jd87

Any ideas anyone? Surely this isn't that rare a problem?

PNPSUKNET

they can just do it as an et, but been honest you need to speak to the police your supplier wont do it any quicker but they could place an objection to leaving

jd87

Police don't care about any of this. I've tried. I've been told that it's just seen as a nuisance because I haven't yet lost any money and the crime would be against the companies anyway.

Any ideas specifically about if there are other departments within BG or EDF that I need to be chasing?

Plushchris

jd87 wrote: »

Police don't care about any of this. I've tried. I've been told that it's just seen as a nuisance because I haven't yet lost any money and the crime would be against the companies anyway.

Any ideas specifically about if there are other departments within BG or EDF that I need to be chasing?

Bit of work on your behalf but you could try contacting BG to see if it was actually put through a cashback site and if so which one. If it was a clickthrough from a cashback site BG will know. Then contact the casback site yourself to let them know whats been going on.

spiro

The best think with a complaint is to put it in writing explaining all the details.
You (parents) can also contact EDF and say that this is an erroneous transfer and they want to remain with them. They should explain that you dont live at the property and therefore why would you be signing up for BG at that address.

Premier_2

:rotfl:

1. Any change to the account should only be authorised by the current account holder. You are not the account holder.

2. Cashback is generally paid direct into the account that is used to pay the bill. Sometimes it may be paid by cheque to the account holder at the supply address. (I can't see them having set up a mailing adddress revealing their own real address)

Who is this mystery person that is paying your bills or getting cheques sent to you? Could they do the same for me please? Please! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

JasX

Premier wrote: »

2. Cashback is generally paid direct into the account that is used to pay the bill. Sometimes it may be paid by cheque to the account holder at the supply address. (I can't see them having set up a mailing adddress revealing their own real address)

I've never known that to be the case. the better cashback deals are usually from 3rd parties (eg topcashback, quidco etc) and how that is cashed out will have no bearing on the bank account and address details on your account with the energy supplier themselves.

Plushchris

JasX wrote: »

I've never known that to be the case. the better cashback deals are usually from 3rd parties (eg topcashback, quidco etc) and how that is cashed out will have no bearing on the bank account and address details on your account with the energy supplier themselves.

Agreed, I've bought things through my OH's quidco account before and used my own bank details to pay for the item (car insurance, DVDs etc) and the cashback always gets paid to the OH (which is a joint account anyway)