Identity fraud

clb776

Hi not sure if this the right place my sisters boyfriend used to live with my mum up until around 10 months ago when they had an argument and my mum told him to leave. Over the last few days she has received about 10 letters addressed to him at her address after nothing, these are from mobile phone companies, banks and utility companies, you can see this from the envelope. My mum, who has always felt sorry for him has called him and asked him, and said he can come get them. I don't think she should give them to him as I think something dodgy is going on! Is this fraud?? Should I call the police? If he tries to get credit, he would be able to use these things as proof of address, I don't want my mums address getting blacklisted and such!!!

anselld

An address on its own cannot be blacklisted; reference agencies work on name/address combination.

It is not identity fraud because he is not pretending to be somebody else (though it may be some other type of fraud if he falsely claims to be resident at an address in order to get credit).

If in doubt just write "Not at this address - return to sender" and put back in the post.

clb776

Oh ok, thankyou! I thought it was the address! I think I will return them as it seems a bit dodgy to me, they are proper letters, and all needed for proof if address for things so it would be best for them not to be given to him!! X

Olipro

anselld wrote: »

If in doubt just write "Not at this address - return to sender" and put back in the post.

Or more simply, just write "Goneaway"

clb776

What worries me more is that it is a new account, I know this because I know he didn't bank with this company before, and I thought you had to show proof of address to open one in the first place? It's a bit strange that there would be a bank statment, utility bill and mobile bill all at the same address, what weird things to have all in quick succession of each other after not receiving letters in his name for months. I can't help but worry something is going on!! I will return them all to sender, but I am concerned he is up to something. He has previously committed benefit fraud with housing benefit and claimed benefits in my sisters name so I find it hard to believe this is innocent!!!

I hope by not giving him the letters we can nip it in the bud!

boo_star

He could have been using the Royal Mail redirect service and his "subscription" has now lapsed. Obviously he should have changed his address with these companies ASAP but he might have forgotten how long it was due to run and adopted an "I'll do it tomorrow" attitude.

He may of course be up to no good but I wouldn't immediately jump to the conclusion that something untoward is going on.

As other people have said just return to sender.

Edit: Missed the part about them being new. I would still return them however, there isnt a whole lot else you can do, its really up to the companies involved to get the Police in if he's up to no good.