We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Unauthorised Wonga Loan

Rover7895
Rover7895 Posts: 31 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
Hi People.

Today I received a letter from Wonga.com stating that I have an overdue account to the tune of £280.63.... I have never even dealt with these guys before.

I phoned them straight away and they basically made out that I must have set an account up and if not, then it was identity fraud and I would need a crime reference number.
They would not reveal any information due to the data protection act.

I contacted the police and I have an appointment with them on Friday, then they will give me a crime reference number.

I also contacted my bank, who confirmed that Wonga had been trying to take the full amount from my account on two occasions, but there isn't enough funds, instead there are two seperate payments of £5.00 taken.
The bank (fraud department now) cancelled the card and are sending me a new one, they also marked the payments as 'Do not recognise'.

The thing that baffles me is, how do Wonga actually make out you owe them money when there hasn't even been any money put in to my account by them? Only money taken out.

I am now scared stiff they will try to take more money from my account to then find they can't, and then escalate to debt collectors or something.
I have never dealt with these people and don't understand how they work.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Comments

  • dealer_wins
    dealer_wins Posts: 7,334 Forumite
    Its very strange that they have your details AND your card/account details. Has anyone living with you/family had access to your card?
  • Rover7895
    Rover7895 Posts: 31 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I live with parents, but there is no way they would have had the knowledge to set up a loan online, or had the indecency, and I don't think anyone dodgy has been in the house either.

    Just weird why no money has gone in to my account, but payments have been taken by Wonga from the account.
  • Rover7895
    Rover7895 Posts: 31 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I have been guilty of not shredding personal letters, I keep documents from the bank that states "Do not destroy" and I only have online statements.
  • Why wouldn't Wonga talk to you about 'your' account under the Data Protection Act?

    Surely, if it's your account, as you say they said, they would be very happy to talk to you about the account?

    After all, isn't that why they wrote to you in the first place?
    "There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe a 'Princess Coronation' locomotive in full cry. We shall never see their like again". O S Nock
  • Ive just this morning been speaking to a guy i work with about something similar, he had to visit his bank last week as Wonga have taken 2 x £1000 payments from his bank account, he has never used them, seemingly someone has got a hold of his card details and have been using it to pay there loans.. he has no idea how this has happened, the bank have refunded him fully and will be dealing with Wonga to sort it out...

    So looks like all sorts is going on with Wonga ...
  • Rover7895
    Rover7895 Posts: 31 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Why wouldn't Wonga talk to you about 'your' account under the Data Protection Act?

    Surely, if it's your account, as you say they said, they would be very happy to talk to you about the account?

    After all, isn't that why they wrote to you in the first place?


    It seems like Wonga have their own rules, I couldn't actually believe they couldn't tell me what email address was used to confirm the loan, If the card details matched with mine, What date it was set up etc etc.

    LittleMiss, I have just spoken to the police and they have said they have many issues with Wonga.
    They say Wonga is ultimately the victim in these issues, which makes you wonder why they lend money to just about anyone.
    You'd think the process would be a little more tighter than a 'superspeedy credit check' and a loan in your bank account within 15 minutes..... Just they never actually paid anything in to my account in the first place :doh:
  • Lizzie145
    Lizzie145 Posts: 12 Forumite
    You would be surprised how easy it is for people to do this with just a few bits of post (utility bills etc). That is how I had online shopping accounts set up in my name. Check experian and the other credit reference agencies asap as they could have tried to set up other accounts in your name as well. I can't stress how important this is as if you apply for credit and get rejected because of it it will damage your credit rating further.

    Hope this helps
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.