Unauthorised Next Directory Account

MrWillyWonka

Hello,

I got a letter this morning from Next Directory requesting £3.75 to be paid by the end of December and the statement showed that I have a £600 credit limit. I was rather alarmed that I had a Next credit account as I have never ordered online from Next nor have I asked for or authorised any such credit account (I've never had a store credit card).

I phoned up Next and they said the £3.75 was for a catalogue (that I never asked for nor received) and that they would close the account. In addition I requested that the account be removed from my credit file and they said they would do that and apologised for any inconvenience.

I initially thought it was identity theft but the account was opened online in June and no orders have been made.

1. How did an account open without my knowledge.
2. Can they give me credit without my signature?
3. They will remove the account from the credit file but what about credit checks? Will this also be removed, basically I want no trace of them!

Thanks in advance for answers!

alistair.long

I had something like this some time ago, however when I looked at the letter there was a spelling mistake.

I called customer service who said they were going to call the bailiff.
I laughed and said call the courts and I will enjoy it.

After a heated exchange they desided to say we made a mistake.

I would have enjoyed the CPR 48.6 costs as a litigant in person.

MrWillyWonka

I should also mention that Next have agreed to waive the £3.75 charge. What letter are you referring to? The only letter I ever got is the statement.

Elle7

You don't sign for a Next credit account. Usually you sign up online when placing an order, but if nothing has ever been ordered, its more likely you've entered a Next competition - they hide a 'I agree to open a Next account' disclaimed on the back, and get all the information such as your name and address from the competition form.

MrWillyWonka

Elle7,

Don't think I've entered any Next competitions. Anyhow, that's legal? Im surprised it is. Do they not require a signature, especially considering that anyone can open an account online with someone else's details.

The account will be removed but what about credit searches?

alistair.long

It was some time ago when I had received the letter. It may have just been a statement.

Enfieldian

Next do still send out two copies of the "Consumer Credit Agreement" and ask you to sign and return one copy so this is a bit odd.

Quite often they ask for the first order on the account to be paid for at the time of ordering as well, despite there being a "credit limit" in place.

Curiouser and curiouser....