Cabot Financial - Requesting me to send them proof of ID

Sangria_Girl

Hi,
I was a victim of ID theft in 2008 - someone who moved into my old address used my forename and surname (but an incorrect DOB) to sign up to an online catalogue & order goods from 'JD Williams' a fashion store.

The ID theft has been reported to the police & crime ref. number given to JD Williams and to debt collection agencies. (each debt collection agency keeps selling the debt on - Cabot are now the 6th debt collection agency to contact me)


Out of the blue I had a phonecall before Christmas from a company called 'Cabot Financial' (not sure how they got hold of my phone number??) they wanted me to confirm my name, address and DOB before they would continue the conversation with me. To cut a long story short I received a letter from them last week asking me to send a copy of my signature and proof of my address, with 2 x proof of ID (copies of passport and birth cetificate) - to prove the debt was not mine.

I am loathe to do this and have not responded to their letter yet. It does not seem either wise or safe to be sending a company I know nothing about proof of my ID to clear my name. I thought the crime reference number would be enough?

I'd really appreciate some advice on what to do next? I have written all the usual letters recommended on here - 'prove it' and the letter threatening the OFT. The debt keeps getting sold on & on & on! How do I stop this from happening? Will I have to get a solicitor involved?
Thanks
SG

honeybear68

yes you will need to support your ID with any documents, such passport, birth certificate, also if you have further evidences send them, this is the only information that will prove who you are unless this has also been used, keep copies of everything you send them and any think else you can remember.

a family member of mine did this to me and I found out via a copy of my credit report, you can also get information added to your report.

honeybear68

send it all recorded delivery as this will be proof that you have sent it.

fermi

Have you kept the letter? That is way out of order. :eek:

If yes, then please complain to the OFT.

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

Deceptive and/or unfair methods

2.7 Dealings with debtors are not to be deceitful and/or unfair.

2.8 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

.................

................

j. requiring an individual to supply information to prove they are not the debtor in question, for example, driving licences, passports, full name, date of birth, signatures

As you say, a crime number is MORE than enough, and they have no right to your private documentation.

Especially documentation that would allow someone to perpetrate ID theft all over again if it fell into the wrong hands. :mad:

mrsb83_2

Don't send them anything, and make a complaint as above.

honeybear68

fermi wrote: »

Have you kept the letter? That is way out of order. :eek:

If yes, then please complain to the OFT.

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

As you say, a crime number is MORE than enough, and they have no right to your private documentation.

Especially documentation that would allow someone to perpetrate ID theft all over again if it fell into the wrong hands. :mad:

ok fermi I give up you win, better at the advice I give in.:o

fermi

honeybear68 wrote: »

ok fermi I give up you win, better at the advice I give in.:o

Oops! Didn't realise I'd posted the opposite to you on 2 threads in quick succession.

Don't take it like that please. Nothing to do with winning or losing here. Just helping each other out.

honeybear68

fermi wrote: »

Oops! Didn't realise I'd posted the opposite to you on 2 threads in quick succession.

Don't take it like that please. Nothing to do with winning or losing here. Just helping each other out.

Yes I know. not taken offence in any way.:D:D

Sangria_Girl

Thanks so much for the replies - I feel better already. That document from the OFT was very useful - thank you. I think the debt collection agency had ticked the boxes for at least 3 unfair or deceptive methods!

Longer term is there anything I can do to end this once and for all? Am worried the debt will keep getting sold on & on.....when I phoned the police again in December they informed me a crime reference number should be enough to prove i'm the innocent party?
I had tried corresponding wiht JD Williams directly last year, but it got me nowhere, in fact by the time I got talking to a human I kept getting passed from pillar to post!

dancingfairy

Hi - not sure what you can do longer term - Fermi might now as they are very knowledgable. I don't know whether any responsibility lies with JDWilliams at all? You might be able to complain to them and about them to the authorities but I'm not 100% sure.
I would also check your credit reports(all 3) - get a CIFAS? marker on there- a fraud prevention flag so you have to have a password so no-one can get more credit in your name and check that you don't have loads of defualts on there for a debt that's not yours.
df

BackOnTrack

I'm not quite sure how sending information to the DCA with your name would prove the debt wasn't yours when the debt was fraudulently taken out in your name. Good luck getting them to leave you alone.