Possible to commit Identity Theft from missing payslips?

filcanmike

Hi, this might sound idiotic on my part, but can you be a victim of identity theft through someone getting a hold of your payslip?

When I moved here and found a job, I put down my auntie's address for correspondence. I was staying at a houseshare, but had a feeling I won't stay there for long so I didn't use that address. I eventually moved to a different house. I've never received any payslips and didn't really care as long as it arrives at my account. Back home in Canada, my payslips are all online and I don't really go in and check them. All along, I've made the assumption that they're being sent to my auntie's address. Turns out, they haven't been receiving them all along (yes, I am naive... I should have asked them a long time ago!). I *may* have mentioned my former address, but I find that strange since I've received some company mail through my auntie's place.

Now, I am worried that they are being sent to my former address. I moved out around the same time when I first got paid. To make things more complicated, my former landlord and I did not part on good terms. I've even created a thread asking for advice about some incident when I left. Well, let's just say that if she is getting my payslip, I won't be surprised if she is using that to commit something malicious to her advantage. After all, she is claiming disability benefits for a child who lives outside the country among other things. Yes, she is a witch and something else that rhymes with that, and no, I haven't received my deposit back if you happen to read the old thread.

Anyway, it's the weekend and I haven't verified that my payslips are being sent there. But if by any chance that it does, can she actually do anything malicious to me, like identity theft? I don't think my DOB is there, but probably my NINO is. I'm not sure if my bank details are there either. I have never seen a UK payslip before (yes, I am really naive -- I blame my parents for cuddling me too much). But then, all the personal info that they need to take out a loan or credit card is on that slip. Is that right?

Azari

There is no fixed amount of data required for 'identity theft' as the term itself covers multiple levels.

Anyone could get a name and address from the phonebook and write someone a letter using that information. To the extent that, in the first instance at least, the recipient will believe it's from the false name, the identity will have been stolen.

From there there are multiple further levels but without pins, passwords, and information such as DOB and mother's maiden name there is not that much they can do.

It's unlikely that they can do much with the information on a payslip except, perhaps, use it as part proof of identity (although I have never seen such a thing listed as valid evidence). The only thing they can get from it that they cannot easily get from other sources your NI number.

So unless someone has already assembled a good deal of information about you a payslip will not do them much good.

Fire_Fox

ARE your payslips being sent there or have they been? The obvious solution is to contact the employer to ask, worrying about something that might not have happened is a pointless activity. Many times payslips are held for you by your manager or supervisor at your place of work, not mailed out.

If they have - especially if you think any other documentation may have gone there - have the three credit reference agencies put a note on your file. That will mean you have to jump through more hoops to prove your identity for credit too tho.