Free Identity Fraud Protection

hugh_jarse

That bbc site you link to is very interesting James. I have a password linked to any genuine credit I apply for. Since the middle of last year when I started getting letters demanding money or see you in court from various debt collection agencies on behalf of various companies, I have been trying to get myself out of a mess caused by the new occupants (renting) of my previous address (I sold to a developer) using my name to obtain credit. Once its started it is a massive ball-ache to sort. Experian have been very good and even one of the companies involved has put me on the CIFAS register. Its a very long story (and the police were really quite poor by the way). The only credit I am likely to apply for in the near future is a remortgage and I am a bit worried I wont be able to get one.

The main problem is I dont know how long this will go on for. Some companies seem to let credit accounts go sky-high before doing anything about it (I had a mobile phone bill for £1650!). The question is, while these people were still living at my old address should I have kicked the cr*p out of them as the cops werent interested?! haha. Its no joking matter really. Sometimes I think I should just let them take me to court and prove my innocence there and the y will have costs to pay which might make them think twice before letting things get out of hand on accounts which they obviously havent checked out verywell.

Hugh

James

It's absolutely fine shredding all your personal information, destroying your hard drive etc., but how can you be sure others are so reticent with your personal information?

Personal details used by crooks for financial gain is rendered useless using the system I've put in place. It's cheap, and embraces a tried and tested fraud deterrent.

See: Taking Identity Fraud in Hand:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/3574779.stm

James

psb

Gotabiscuit wrote:

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.

Thanks Gotabiscuit, I will attempt to find the telephones board. Have now discovered that I am not the only one having calls run thru my BT line. Have spoken to someone who had £300 worth of calls nothing to do with them. They refused to pay and BT cut them off until they payed the bill!!

Jolly_Miller

I have successfully applied for the No Hassle card, the Credit Agreement and small print arrived this morning and I can find no mention fraud protection (unless associated with the card in question) Have I missed something or have they changed the conditions?

James

The Cheapeast & Most Effective Way of Deterring ID Fraudsters, Protecting Your Own Good Name and Identifying Offenders:

See:
Taking Identity Fraud in Hand:

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

and here is how one part of the above worked against ALL card & cheque fraud:

http://www.highlandcrimeprevention.org.uk/thumb.html

James.

wee_man

Existing card holders cannot apply!!
So I rang Capital One to ask why?
And they gave me the protection and identity theft asssistance, no pronlem. So thumbs up to them.

DaveK

I remember reading somewhere that there was a service that would inform you every time you (or your ID) was used to apply for credit. Anyone know what this service is?

nh

James, is that you then in the article who uses the thumb print?

Reaper

DaveK, you are thinking of the Credit Reference Agencies reports where you can see immediately what searches are being done. However they are expensive at about £50pa and you would need to register with both the main companies (Equifax and Experian) for it to be of any use combating fraud.

Not worth it in my opinion, but if you want to read about it here is the Experian page. Click on CreditExpert link when you get there.

DaveK

Yes, thanks for reminding me. A bit of a rip off really. If these banks were really interested in stopping fraud this service would be free.