Free Identity Fraud Protection

MSE_Martin

This discussion relates to the following article

Free Identity Fraud Help

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JasonW_2

Cool, cheers. Should be interesting when the link is posted

Hope your RSI isn't too painful.

JW

charlieboycat

Maybe a silly question - but how does ID theft actually work? Financial instituitions seem to require proof of name amd proof of address. Doesn't this mean that if someone tried to steal my identity/apply for loans or whatever then all mail from the financial institution in respect of that application would arrive on my doormat (not that of the fraudster)?

And a practical question - what do fraudsters actually need? Just the information (ie. name, address, bank acccount or mortgage reference numbers etc)? Or unspoilt original documents that they can send off to financial institutions as "proof"?

Regards

[Deleted User]

Capital One are utter sh*te.

'Hassle' is their middle name. Due to THEIR incompetence my card went to another address - my account had to be stopped and I was reissued with a new account number.

Unfortunately - Capital One REFUSE to disassociate the new account number from the old one - and INSIST they do not have to software to allow me online access to my account because of this.

I have been to the very top over this - and the matter is now in the hands of the Ombudsman.

My account has been completely hijacked by Capital One and I currently find their 'No hassle' adverts offensive to say the least. I am completely unable to access my busy account other than by making lengthy phone calls to them on an almost daily basis in order to remain vigilant against fraud.

People ARE concerned about fraud - as indeed I am. But how are customers such as myself supposed to be vigilent when the company itself prevents it.

I'm surprised, having already highlighted this problem in the credit card forum -this website sees fit to 'advertise' Capital One as 'No hassle'

Paul_BR

Have a look at the service called CreditExpert - https://www.creditexpert.co.uk - from Experian, one of the main Credit Reference Agencies. The service is free for the first 30 days.

You get 24/7 access to your credit reports and ratings via a web interface plus, and this is the best bit, an enquiry alert service. Whenever anyone accesses your reports, you can chose to be alerted by email or text message. You can then check on line to see who was searching.

If it is a company you have never dealt with, the chances are someone is using your identity to apply for a credit card or a loan. You can then warn your bank or take other action to protect your identity.

Experian is currently offering a 30 day free trial of the service. You have to register and give them your credit card details (annual cost £50), but if you cancel within the 30 days they don't take anything from your card. You get a further 90 days where you get a refund of the unused portion of your first year's subscription.

charlieboycat

I tried the Credit Expert free trial. Their email notification of a search is triggered by one of their own reports!!!

So - you sign up and ask for a report and a few days later you get an email saying someone has searched your record and suggesting you ask for a copy of your report to find out who. You ask for a report to find out who - only to discover it was Credit Expert providing you with the report you asked for. A few days later you get another email saying someone has searched your record - you ask for a report and again it turns out it was Credit Expert providing the previous report you asked for in response to their previous email. And so on .....

Galstonian

Barclays are now offering a similar service to their customers:
http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/Products/Apply/Card_Benefits/identity_protection/standard.html

They don't explicitly state what the service offers but "if you do become a victim, they will help you to resolve your case and regain your identity – even if your Barclaycard is not affected."

psb

when i received my latest telephone bill (BT) there were 5 overseas calls on it that were nothing to do with me to an island in the indian ocean. have i been the victim of identity fraud? has anyone else had this happen to them? compalined to BT and these calls are now "under investigation" but they say chances are that I will have to pay for them eventually! (£60) Anybody got any helpful information please. Hope I've done this correctly its my very first posting!!!

Gotabiscuit

Welcome to the boards, psb. You've done OK but I'd say your question is more suited to the telephones board - try re-posting there.

Paul_Varjak

Halifax have a scheme to help protect you aginst identity fraud whilst using one of their credit cards for online transactions, by selecting a password that you wish to use when online.

You can register for this service at: https://www.halifax.co.uk.

Of course, not all website will have signed up for this service - so it is of rather limited use!

James

Preventing ID theft is cheaper and easier than clearing up the mess, why not consider a system that:

Actually deters ID theft in the first instance.

Protects the genuine person by proving that they never applied for a loan, card or opened a bank account etc.

Provided a means of identifying offenders.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/3574779.stm

The afore mentioned system is proactive. You don't have to rely on second and third parties destroying your personal information which could be used by crooks for ID theft and financial gain.