Possible fraud - so worried

rachel4331

I'm new to this site and maybe if I'm on the wrong forum, someone can direct me!

To cut a very long story short, a few years ago I found out I had a step sister and about 4 years ago, she came to live with me and my hubby for a while. She is now 38. I knew she was using our address for credit etc and at the time, I was fine with this, plus me and my hubby thought it would be a permanent arrangement, which we were happy about and she was paying board.

Anyway, in August, there was a huge family row and my step sister up and left and I haven't heard from her since. (It has happened before too, about 18 months ago but she came back and we reconcilled.) Now things have come to light and it seems she has left a huge trail of debt. Blinded by family loyalities, I did allow her initally to use my bank cards to pay for things on the internet (she gave me the cash in return.) and didn't think anything of it whilst she was setting herself up credit wise. Please think of me as you will but I really didn't see anything wrong with this.

Letters have been coming in for my step sister since she left and I have been writing a note on them, and posting them back in the post, unopened. I have advised too any telephone calls we have been getting. Anyway, one letter came today all official looking and I opened it. It was from Simply Be for £147.00. The same company has been calling our landline and threatening both me and dh with the police.

Anyway, I called them today (not really the right thing to do,) and they put me through to their Fraud Dept. They believe I am acting as my step sister as the account has many similarities, including the password (it seems we have both used our fathers surname.) and bank card (which I allowed her to use in the early days.) They also claim my step sister is not real as there is no one with that dob existing (!!!!!!?) I have accounts with them which I have never had a problem with and they have closed them too today. They are also reporting the whole thing to the police and are sending me a letter detailing their next move.

I am absolutely gutted, distraught and very, very worried. Whatever next. My hubby is going to go mental and I don't want to get family involved at this stage. I have no forwarding contacting details for her and my father hasn't heard off my step sister either.

What can I do, I just feel like paying it off but I fear the worst is yet to come.

Please, I need some advice or maybe other internet sites which may be of help. thanx for getting this far. I really can't cope with this at the moment and just don't know what to do next. Is it worth me getting in touch with the police?

Simon-Simple

I would certainly report this to the police straight away. You must have sufficient evidence to prove you have a step sister, so that, should the Creditor contact the police you can provide them with as much information as possible. e.g. Other names and addresses of relatives, place of employment, car registration details (if she owned one), mobile 'phone number, photos etc.

Fraud is quite difficult to prove, so the firm in question may not contact you again. If they do, it may be considered as harassment, so go and see your local CAB, who will give you good advice as to what you should do next.

RAS

Hi

I think you need to pre-empt some of this.

You should assume that all your bank and savings accounts are compromiised and that there may be other accounts out their taken in your name by your step-sister.

If this is the case, you may well find that your credit rating is a mess.

Start by getting your credit records from Experian, Equifax and Callcredit. There is an article on how to get them free, or for £2 each on the main site. If you find any accounts that you did not open ring the company and then write to them explaining how your ID was hi-jacked.

Then go out and open a new basic bank account, preferably not linked to anyone to whom you know you have no other accounts.

With respect to the accounts where you know that your sister had access, ring the banks and closed the accounts, and explain why. Sorry but since you gave her the details they will not be amused and you will have to bear any loss.

Then contact CIFAs and ask them to put a preventative flag on your records http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=808-85

1. This stops your sister from opening any more accounts in your name.
2. By contacting CIFAS yourselves and asking for preventative registration, you start to create a trail that shows that you have been a victim not the perpetrator.

With respect to your sister's identity, is there a main library near you that has a family history section. Most of these will have the Birth register and you can then search for her certificate to prove her existance.

You need to do this very quickly because SimplyBe will put a fraud marker on your credit records which will prevent you getting even basic bank accounts.

And write to the head honcho at Simply Be, registered post, explaining what has happened basically and advising that as and when you have any further information, you will be forwarding it (Like birth certs, photographs anything else you can find).

DVardysShadow

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/22737205#Comment_22737205 You have had problems before.

I would just have to ask, how do you know this woman is your step sister?

RAS

Thanks DVS

annibee

Didnt want to read and run the posts above seem like great advice.
Just want to say sorry this has happened to you its a shame but its certainly not your fault most people would probably have done the same. I hope this gets sorted for you x

annibee

DVardysShadow wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/22737205#Comment_22737205 You have had problems before.

I would just have to ask, how do you know this woman is your step sister?

Just read that one too either your really unlucky or perhaps they are scheming together?

the_cat

Errr forgive me but if the other thread is right your OH took out debt in a false name before?

Why is he not on the list of suspects now?

James

Can I suggest you call Action Fraud and seek their FREE advice. They've a Free Phone number too.

Click here for their webpage.

Rather than RAS's suggestion to contact CIFAS (which is designed to protect CIFAS Members), why don't you consider this FREE alternative (click here). (which is designed to protect YOU).

Good luck

rachel4331

Hi, that with dh was a total misunderstanding and blown out of all proportion. its all sorted now and as for our other debts, we are nearly cleared with the help of family. Its absolutely nothing to do with what I am going through now and am not asking to be judged on that. If people feel that they cannot help me on this post, I totally understand.

As for my step-sister, I am beginning to question the same, was she really who she says she was. I don't have much info on her and she lived abroad or a long time so have no previous address details for her.

dothebartman

Hmmm funny how you say your new to this site yet you've been posting on it at a fairly regular basis since 2007!! a few different sob stories as well. Wonder what the truth really is?......