ID Fraud by a family member - what do I do?

onriebaby

Hi all,
I am really hoping someone can help me as Im really confused right now. Basically my older sister is on heroine and is having a rough time right now, so she has been staying at mine on and off for the last few weeks. Anyway, last week I recieved a letter fropm O2, one from Orange and one from an insurance company all saying thanks for joining us etc etc. I was really confused as I know that I havent opened anything. I was about to jump on the phone when she walked in and I decided to ask her about it. She denied this, but I could tell she was lying. After a few hours of interogration she admitted that she had taken contracts out in my name (she had 'borrowed' my debit card and some bills to do so) in order to sell the phones. However she stated that the person in the shop was 'underhand' and changed the bank account details and was supposed to change my name etc so I was never to be the wiser. And she was right there is no direct debit to me and the account number quoted on the letter are not mine.
I have now received one phone off of her, but the other was sold already - and she had spent the money. To make matters worse she kept the sim and had been using that continously - needlessly to say I now have that.
But Im wonderng what to do now... I cant afford these contracts but I dont want to get her into trouble (stupid I know), but I mean serious trouble.. I would assume this is classed as fraud albeit Im her sister; and yes I know, that makes it worse, but she is my sister and I dont want her to get arrested or anything.
As I says one of the contracts is still untouched in the box and the other the sim has been used and the phone sold.
I dont know if I should call up and explain or not .... I could say I have no knowledge of this, but I dont want to lie ... I find you always get caught out somehow. And of course I cant ignore it as its in my name address etc and I dont want it affecting my credit. Please help:(
Thanks

diable

You are not going to like it but you need to report it to the Police, get a crime reference number and cancel all the contracts that she took up.

tazdevil01985

onriebaby wrote: »

Hi all,
However she stated that the person in the shop was 'underhand' and changed the bank account details and was supposed to change my name etc so I was never to be the wiser. And she was right there is no direct debit to me and the account number quoted on the letter are now mine.

Very unlikly they would be also comiiting fraud and whats in it for them 20 quid bonus.

As they are in your name therefore they are your responsibilty and thats all the phone companies will be concerned with. Just because there is no DD at the moment doesnt mean next month there wont be.
Therefore check with your Bank and cancel DDs if they have been setup.
Next is your decision but I am afraid I would call the police. Harsh I know but as phones bought in a shop you cant return as 7 day window for goods to be returned i.e poor coverage dont like phone is online only (distance selling regs I maybe wrong) I know Orange doesnt do 14DMB - 14 day money back anymore I dont know for 02.
Its only when people really hit bottom that things start to get sorted and sounds like your sister hasnt got there yet. Thats my opinion for what its worth.

onriebaby

I was scared what everyone would say is its in my name and therefore its my responability. Oh, I really dont know what to do, I know I should report her, but shes my sister and completely agree with what your saying Tazdevil- I know maybe reporting her would be better in the long run.... Its between reporting her and sorting this out or paying £70 a month myself (or lying, whcih I dont want to)

LillythePink

You have to report her - this may be the kick that she needs to get her life sorted out if she is put away - she may get on a rehab course etc courtesy of the court.

Have you told your parents?

She needs to be held responsible for this not you - by lying and covering it up etc you will only open yourself up to further abuse of trust by her - she has gotten away with it once, so what's to stop her doing it again (if you pay up and shut up or lie for her)

steve1980

The phones need to be cancelled. You also need to call the police as it's fraud.

Your sister needs help, simple as.

McKneff

She had no qualm about dropping you in the shoite, why do you have any about her.

Get her reported, it could be the best thing you do for her in the long run.

tazdevil01985

onriebaby wrote: »

I was scared what everyone would say is its in my name and therefore its my responability. Oh, I really dont know what to do, I know I should report her, but shes my sister and completely agree with what your saying Tazdevil- I know maybe reporting her would be better in the long run.... Its between reporting her and sorting this out or paying £70 a month myself (or lying, whcih I dont want to)

Families are crap arent they ! I have had a similar nasty one with my brother he claimed to be someone he wasnt for 8 years running up massive debts it wasnt until the police caught him that he has got his act together. We are now rebuilding our relationship. £70 per month is a lot of money. You could sell the other phone on ebay and recoup some of the costs from that and make your sister repay the rest over a long period of time. What have your parents said ? Have you got a impatial friend that you can confide in ? End of the day its your decision however yes in the long run it would be better.
When I am in these crap situations I find a big piece of paper with 2 columns pro's and con's and a night to sleep on it.
One final thing is whats going to be next ? Dont mean to frighten you but credit card in your name with a couple of grand on it. It needs to really be stopped now.
I know I might have been a bit harsh and sorry for that but have been there and seen the effects and wished that I had acted sooner

tazdevil01985

One idea is that you give your sister the choice she hands herself in or you phone the old bill. Its then her choice not yours !

onriebaby

I havent told my parents as my dad in his 70s and they both live on his pension... i dont want to put any pressure on tem especially with it being Christmas in a minute. I'm scared to phone to the phone companies as I know they will involve the police.. and yes I know that needs to be done but its just so hard. Either way as said , I know that when the DD bounces I wil be getting extra charges and letters to my door. I havent thought about that Tazdevil.. that could be a solution, but I doubt she will, leaving it to me.

Pitlanepiglet

You'd had good advice so far. Let's say you chose to bail her out this time and to just pay for the contracts.

What happens next time? Next time she orders something using your details and snorts or injects the proceeds - what will you do then? You do know that there will be a next time don't you?

There is a very clear line and she she has crossed it, I know she's your sister but you are NOT at this moment responsible for her conduct. If you cover for her on this one and she does it again your position is not this clear.

Report her. For her sake and for yours.