Identity theft question

Michael36

I applied for a job at company X and they checked my security profile using one of the (UK based) companies that check profiles. I failed on the grounds that there is an "adverse finding" on a credit card at my address. I have a name of the account holder (it's not me or anybody that I know) but I don't know the credit card company.

I have used several on-line companies to check out my own credit rating and all is OK.

How is this possible / any ideas how to track this account down?

(Note that I have requested more details from company X but they are making me wait for up to 8 weeks and even then I don't know what I will get ! )

fluffnutter

I don't know that this is necessarily identity theft - your name's not being used. Rather it sounds like something is erroneously registered to your address. Credit reference agencies have an obligation to ensure the data they hold is correct (although they often try to wriggle out of this). Can you find out who exactly is holding this information?

Michael36

Thanks for the reply. A fair point, I had wondered if somebody had somehow used my good credit rating.

I know who the credit rating company is but they flat refuse to give me the data (I cited section 7 of the data protection act). They claim that any further data must come to me through company X.

I don't want to wait 8 weeks....

fluffnutter

What's their reason? You have a right to see all data pertaining to you. Perhaps their argument is that the data doesn't belong to you (it's not in your name). In which case, what's their explanation for it being held against your address? TBH, this kind of thing is the stuff that Kafkaesque nightmares are made of. Good luck sorting it out. Unfortunately I don't have any advice as to how you can achieve that!

wealdroam

Perhaps you should point out to company X that credit references are not based on addresses, but on individuals.

There is no way that you can be held responsible for anyone else's credit history, and it is unfair of company X to judge you on this snippet of information.

I realise that that may be difficult if you are still waiting for a decision from company X on whether they are going to offer you employment or not.

fluffnutter

wealdroam wrote: »

Perhaps you should point out to company X that credit references are not based on addresses, but on individuals.

There is no way that you can be held responsible for anyone else's credit history, and it is unfair of company X to judge you on this snippet of information.

I realise that that may be difficult if you are still waiting for a decision from company X on whether they are going to offer you employment or not.

I totally agree. I'd still be cross and curious as to why and how a credit card in someone else's name is registered to my address and would want that investigated and resolved.

Michael36

Yes, I know it unfair but I cannot escape, what I am going through is the equivalent of being put in jail without the benefit of being told what I have been convicted of.

Company X is making me wait 8 weeks (that's the legal limit according to the data protection act).

So, any idea of how to work out who has a credit card registered at my address, the on-line credit rating sites show only legitimate accounts.

Michael36

Cross....You have no idea :mad:

fluffnutter

Michael36 wrote: »

Yes, I know it unfair but I cannot escape, what I am going through is the equivalent of being put in jail without the benefit of being told what I have been convicted of.

Company X is making me wait 8 weeks (that's the legal limit according to the data protection act).

So, any idea of how to work out who has a credit card registered at my address, the on-line credit rating sites show only legitimate accounts.

Which suggests that it's data that's only held by this 'company that checks profiles'. Perhaps this card doesn't even exist.

Michael36

Agreed that the card may not exist. But, how can I make sure now (rather than waiting 8 weeks) ? I have checked as far as I can but short of ringing all the credit card companies !! and asking, I can't think what else to do.

unholyangel

You can write to the credit agency and inform them their details are inaccurate and that you are aware under the DPA they have a duty to check their information and rectify it where it is inaccurate.

Pretty sure if you go to https://www.ico.gov.uk you'll find a template letter you can use