Possible fraud at my address, please help!

ian-d

Last week I received a driving license in the post for someone else, with my address on it. I called up the DVLA and they told me to just return it, as it might be an error on their system.

I have today received a letter from Lloyds TSB stating that this same person (at my address) has reached their overdraft limit (and beyond) and explaining about overdraft charges. I have phoned Lloyds and they have just told me to return it as "not at this address".

Naturally with receiving two bits of information, I'm now worried someone is using my address for fraudulent activities.

I have lived at this address for over 6 years since it was built, so there has never been any other residents.

I have carried out a credit report with Equifax which is absolutely clear (no credit checks) and I'm just waiting on the report from Experian, though hope/expect it to be the same.

Is there anything else I can do at this stage? I'm incredibly protective of my privacy, always shredding documents etc, so am concerned.

PS - I have retained copies of everything before sending back, just in case.

gb12345

ian-d wrote: »

I have carried out a credit report with Equifax which is absolutely clear (no credit checks) and I'm just waiting on the report from Experian, though hope/expect it to be the same.

Is there anything else I can do at this stage? I'm incredibly protective of my privacy, always shredding documents etc, so am concerned.

Your credit reports won't show anything as the person who has used your address isn't financially linked to you, so their details won't appear on your report.

It is obviously not identity theft targetted at you - more likely someone trying to build and identity using your address for credit applications (probably due to a poor history at their own address).

It does seem strange that they have already managed to open a bank account using your address, but it could be that they have just changed address on an existing account.

If anyone turns up asking if you have had misaddressed post then probably best to just deny all knowledge as they may try to collect the driver's licence,

vuvuzela

Just to get in before anyone gives out misinformation, it is perfectly legal for you to open any letters/documents that have been correctly delivered to your address, as long as you do not use them to the detriment of the addressee.

System

I wouldn't worry about it if you're not the named person.

At the end of the day I can walk down the street and use any address I wanted on documents. There is nothing you can do to stop people using your address.

The fact he has managed to open a bank account on a fake address is a bit surprising and the fact you have not received any cards or anything from the bank account is also a bit odd. It may be worth asking Royal Mail if their has been a redirection on your properties mail in that name? Its possible he's used your address for a while but all his mail has been sent somewhere else and the redirection has now expired which is why its turning up!

pinkshoes

It's really important you just write "return to sender" on any post in this other name, and put it back in the post.

My ex was too lazy to rearrange his post to be redirected, so I sent something back return to sender, and they put a hold on his bank very promptly! (He wasn't best pleased!)

halibut2209

I got sent a Lloyds bank card for someone else. I just returned it to a branch and have received no more letters since.

Valli

goater78 wrote: »

It may be worth asking Royal Mail if their has been a redirection on your properties mail in that name? Its possible he's used your address for a while but all his mail has been sent somewhere else and the redirection has now expired which is why its turning up!

This is a good thought!

custardy

pinkshoes wrote: »

It's really important you just write "return to sender" on any post in this other name, and put it back in the post.

My ex was too lazy to rearrange his post to be redirected, so I sent something back return to sender, and they put a hold on his bank very promptly! (He wasn't best pleased!)

assuming it has a return address
if it doesnt and it isnt stamped mail(as in full price postage,not business mail) then it will be destroyed

blackguy52

you've done the right thing phoning them..just keep marking them return to sender

ian-d

goater78 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about it if you're not the named person.

At the end of the day I can walk down the street and use any address I wanted on documents. There is nothing you can do to stop people using your address.

The fact he has managed to open a bank account on a fake address is a bit surprising and the fact you have not received any cards or anything from the bank account is also a bit odd. It may be worth asking Royal Mail if their has been a redirection on your properties mail in that name? Its possible he's used your address for a while but all his mail has been sent somewhere else and the redirection has now expired which is why its turning up!

I don't think the bank account was originally registered here, but the address simply changed. That appears to just be a straight forward form you fill in (no ID required). The more concerning is getting a driving license sent here, as they must have been trying to get it before I did, but not sure.

I'll certainly give Royal Mail a call.

Magic_Numbers

It's funny, but I had exactly the same problem a few weeks back, a driving licence arrived, closely followed by some other financial stuff. I opened the driver's licence, took all the details from it (name, dob etc) & re-sealed it, marked it not known at this address & popped them back in the nearest postbox.

Around a week later a guy turned up at my door, asking if I had had his driver's licence delivered, turns out the postman knew the name, and told him he had to deliver to my address as that was the house number on the envelope.

I didn't recognise the guy at all but apparently he lives within 100 yards of my house!