Identity Fraud help

Lifeforms

Hi,
Long story short, brain problems = inability to deal with cash/memory problems etc = debt which is then dealt with, and recently all paid off etc (cept one possible one where debt company stopped contacting me, another day story!)

Basically, what is probably a fluke I registered and bought off a catalogue site using debit card. Due to previous issues with debt up to my eyeballs I will never ever ever ever go down credit route again.

Today item arrived, all fine. What also arrived was a letter informing me that a credit account request was denied. Uhh? So I phoned them up, and they can see the account I created on the 4th of Jan, but also a credit request for an account on the 27th Dec, letter is dated 28th Dec. Going through their departments it seems that someone stole my name/address and created an account for credit purposes. The account email/DOB/Phone number are all incorrect, but otherwise it's correct. They've now noted about it on my account, and will request to remove the credit check (?) on my credit thing with equifax.

I have sent off for a copy of my credit history just to check nothing else has come up with it fraudulently, but need to wait 7-10 days for it through the post (wouldn't send them passport/utility bills for an online version because I'm now super paranoid)

I'm tech savy, everything is up to date, don't visit dodgy sites/popup, click on bad links etc. I cross/shred my receipts/personal details, except catalogues which used to go in the bin unopened (but will now be split and shred) The only problem is that I have a locked mail box downstairs, but the door is open to the street/often it gets put on a mail shelf. Maybe that's how details have been gotten, but equally it could've been a vindictive someone else, prolly won't know.

When they say it can happen to anyone, it really can! I just hope that my credit history comes out clean. I've worked incredibly hard to clear my debts, and would never ever go down the route of credit again, so I was fuming when I thought that they'd opened this account for me (and incredibly worried that I'd done it myself without realising), now I'm fuming that someone else tried it on. I think it's sheer coincidence that i just happened to join it later, but I do wonder how/where this info has come from.

The lady at equifax told me to check out CIFAS , and I will sign up for their "Protective Registration" service. Basically is there anything else I need to do?
I'm getting a new bank card (just in case)

(i know, tl;dr, so put the question at the end!)

camuk81

I'm guessing your bank already knows as you have ordered a new bank card, personally having worked for a bank keep a close eye on everything. However please make sure you apply for all your credit files (there are 3 agencies) I would recommend seeing if the net is on all 3 and if not place a notice of correction. These can always be removed later.

Try keeping a track of your transaction that you do online nothing too fancy just the name of the company and the amount will help verify any transactions.

In future make sure you are shredding everything!