Victim of credit fraud in need of advice!

furiousfred

Earlier this year I had a mortgage application turned down because of a bad credit score. This was a shock as I'd checked my Experian credit file and everything was in order. It has transpired that in 2005 someone had obtained 2 credit cards and a loan in my name, using an address I had briefly lived at 6 years previously. This has resulted in 2 defaults and a CCJ on my credit record. These hadn't shown up on my credit file as I had not entered the address the fraudster had used. I had not received default notifications for the defaults or any court papers for the CCJ
CapitalOne, who is responsible for one of the defaults has accepted that I have been a victim of fraud and has acted, reasonably quickly, to have the default removed.
CapQuest is responsible for the CCJ and have also accepted this was fraud and the CCJ is in the process of being set aside.
This leaves the remaining default which was for a Barclaycard loan, which is proving difficult to progress.
The experience has left me deeply sceptical of the claims of the credit industry that they take fraud seriously. I have had no explanation as to how someone could obtain 2 credit cards and a loan in my name using a bogus date of birth and an address that was not the address on my credit file. How can this happen?
I thought a credit check was mandatory when someone applied for credit but I cant see how any checks could have been made.
To me, the credit companies have behaved negligently in not performing any credit checks and should be held accountable for the fraud that took place.
The default notices on my credit file show an invalid date of birth and the address does not tally with my residential address at the time of the credit application. Are these default notices valid?
Experian has refused to remove them without the permission of the credit companies. How can this be fair?
I have been told that default notifications and papers served in regard to the CCJ would have been sent to my last known address, ie the address used by the fraudster. I find this incredible as the defaults and CCJ were applied to my credit file which obviously has my current address, but no attempt was made to contact me.
I am obviously ignorant about the workings of the credit/debt industry and am furious that this has caused my house purchase to fall through. Barclay”fraudsters welcome”Card scum do not even have the courtesy to respond to any of the letters I have sent them.
Any advice would very welcome on what options I may have. I know the defaults will come off my record after 6 years but I want Barclaycard to except responsibility for the fraud. :mad:

FireWyrm

First of all, I want to say how sorry I am that you find yourself in this situation. I've never had it happen to me, but I can imagine that I would be pretty angry about it. The best way to ensure this never happens again is to shred all sensitive correspondance and to guard your identity with your life. I know the words 'stable' 'horse' 'door' come to mind, but it's something that too few of us think about. Unfortunately, it's entirely necessary in this day and age.

furiousfred wrote: »

Earlier this year I had a mortgage application turned down because of a bad credit score. This was a shock as I'd checked my Experian credit file and everything was in order.

I assume you mean NOT in order....

furiousfred wrote: »

I have had no explanation as to how someone could obtain 2 credit cards and a loan in my name using a bogus date of birth and an address that was not the address on my credit file. How can this happen?

And you wont get one either. The truth is that fraud is a multi-million pound industry which we all pay for. Ever wonder why we're on the brink of losing our free banking system? It's down to fraud and the premiums the industry charges itself for insurance against it.

furiousfred wrote: »

I thought a credit check was mandatory when someone applied for credit but I cant see how any checks could have been made.

They were, just not thoroughly enough. In any case, the difference in actual date of birth and address worked in your favour as you were able to prove the fraud relatively easily. I've had dealings with people who weren't so lucky.

furiousfred wrote: »

Experian has refused to remove them without the permission of the credit companies. How can this be fair?

It isnt but there isnt much we can do about it since the banking system endorses Equifax and Experian. I've always thought it was a breach of the dataprotection action myself for a third party company to hold such information on me without my consent, but there's nothing I can do about it.

furiousfred wrote: »

I have been told that default notifications and papers served in regard to the CCJ would have been sent to my last known address, ie the address used by the fraudster. I find this incredible as the defaults and CCJ were applied to my credit file which obviously has my current address, but no attempt was made to contact me.

They did try to make contact with you...at your last known address, the one on the credit agreement. People move houses all the time, it was entirely possible that you had simply moved a few days after the credit agreement and the address hadnt caught up with you.

furiousfred wrote: »

I am obviously ignorant about the workings of the credit/debt industry and am furious that this has caused my house purchase to fall through. Barclay”fraudsters welcome”Card scum do not even have the courtesy to respond to any of the letters I have sent them.

In this case, telephone calls, while time consuming, might be your best option.

furiousfred wrote: »

Any advice would very welcome on what options I may have. I know the defaults will come off my record after 6 years but I want Barclaycard to except responsibility for the fraud. :mad:

You are doing everything you can at the moment. By the way, dont settle for anything less than your credit file expunged. You are not prepared to sit and wait for 6 years for fraudulent defaults to drop off the system. You insist that this is dealt with immediately as it is having an adverse impact on your life.