T-Mobile have destroyed my credit rating!

MamaMoo_2

At my previous address, a t-mobile contract SIM arrived one day in my name, but I hadn't ordered it.
I immediately phoned their CS department, who were very understanding, said that someone must have applied with my details, and they cancelled the SIM immediately. I was very happy with the outcome.
However, over the next 12 months, my bank accounts were closed for seemingly no reason, and I couldn't open a new one anywhere. Natwest let me open a Step account, which was maintained perfectly, but they then closed it 90 days later, with no explanation.
I couldn't get even a basic account with any other bank, not even co-op etc. At this point I got quite confused and had a look at my credit file, and what do I see? A CIFAS fraud warning from T-Mobile. It doesn't give any other information other than that a fraud warning was issued by T-mobile.
It's perfectly clear that this is the reason I cannot obtain any credit, and I want to get this removed. I have written to CIFAS and T-mobile, but have had no reply as yet.
What else can I do?
Does anyone know a contact number at t-mobile for the department who will deal with this?

gjchester

CIFAS tags are there to protect you. You had been a victim of ID theft. You need to contact the organistations who closed the accounts, you should be able to give them more ID and get the issue sorted.

You actually DO want the CIFAS warning to stay on your record, so that if you detaisl are used they ask for additional ID to prevent a further ID theft.

Been there with respect to ID theft (£5k attempted fraud), and I'm extremely happy that I now need to provide more ID rather than risk further fraud in my name.

grumbler

gjchester wrote: »

CIFAS tags are there to protect you. ....
You actually DO want the CIFAS warning to stay on your record, ...

Nobody wants to have the existing accounts closed because of some attempted fraud.

There is something wrong here. It is worth checking all 3 credit files, not just one.

MamaMoo_2

grumbler wrote: »

Nobody wants to have the existing accounts closed because of some attempted fraud.

There is something wrong here. It is worth checking all 3 credit files, not just one.

I have. I checked CallCredit, Experian and Equifax. Are those the 3 I needed to look at? The only issue is the CIFAS marker. All my credit accounts are at the correct address, all my accounts that were paid off (like catalogues) are showing as nil balance, my Vodafone account is showing as up to date etc, there are no financial links to anyone except my husband. We searched his credit file too, and there was nothing anomalous there either.

grumbler

This cannot explain why the existing accounts were closed. I'd write letters to the banks with the copies of the credit files enclosed. Explain why you are so concerned about the unexpected closure and ask them about the reasons behind it. They are not obliged to give you the reason, but probably they will.

MamaMoo_2

Quick update. Spoke to a lady today who had received my complaint, and she said that the CIFAS marker was actually due to be removed that day.
The next day I checked my file, and sure enough, it had expired. I then applied for a standard current account (for which I had been refused 14 days previously) and was granted one. Also managed to get myself a new phone contract, no problem.
My !!!!! does a CIFAS marker not affect your ability to gain credit.