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A New Type of Fraud?
tommyt123
Posts: 21 Forumite
Recently I was shocked to see unexpected letters from Barclays Finance (Apple) and O2 turn up on my door. The letter from Barlcays said that I had taken out a new finance on an Apple product, and the letter from O2 stated that I had taken out a new contract in my name. In the same morning post I also found two letters from Credit Expert (CE) stating that I had just subscribed to their service and welcoming me.
The letters from CE were dated two days before the letters from Barlcays and O2.
I already have an account with CE from many years ago, so my first reaction was that somebody may have compromised my log-on details. So I logged in to the account and was prompted to pay the £14.99 to reactivate the account (since I had not used it for a while). I went through to my report and I could see the entries on their from Clydesale Bank (Barclays Finance). The O2 one was not yet showing. There was also an entry from Experian, under 'Searches', labelled 'Identity Check' on the same date that the letters from CE were dated. So I have been ID checked on my credit file for a new account when I already have an account and no flags have been raised?!?
So what has basically happened here is that a fraudster(s) has managed to create an account in my name with CE , using my details, and then used the information from my credit report to purchase goods / services online (both Barclays and O2 confirmed that the transactions were done online). CE have confirmed that the details on the fraudulent account match my name, address and date of birth - however contact details were incorrect.
What's worrying is that CE holds data on all individuals on the electoral roll in the UK, and if there is a vulnerability here everyone's details are accessible to fraudsters who have your name, date of birth and address!
Has anybody had any similar experiences? Where do I stand with CE on this, since it is there system that has been compromised to obtain my data?
The letters from CE were dated two days before the letters from Barlcays and O2.
I already have an account with CE from many years ago, so my first reaction was that somebody may have compromised my log-on details. So I logged in to the account and was prompted to pay the £14.99 to reactivate the account (since I had not used it for a while). I went through to my report and I could see the entries on their from Clydesale Bank (Barclays Finance). The O2 one was not yet showing. There was also an entry from Experian, under 'Searches', labelled 'Identity Check' on the same date that the letters from CE were dated. So I have been ID checked on my credit file for a new account when I already have an account and no flags have been raised?!?
So what has basically happened here is that a fraudster(s) has managed to create an account in my name with CE , using my details, and then used the information from my credit report to purchase goods / services online (both Barclays and O2 confirmed that the transactions were done online). CE have confirmed that the details on the fraudulent account match my name, address and date of birth - however contact details were incorrect.
What's worrying is that CE holds data on all individuals on the electoral roll in the UK, and if there is a vulnerability here everyone's details are accessible to fraudsters who have your name, date of birth and address!
Has anybody had any similar experiences? Where do I stand with CE on this, since it is there system that has been compromised to obtain my data?
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Comments
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What makes you think they got your details from CE?0
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What makes you think they got your details from CE?
The first instance of anything suspicious was when the CE account was created. A few days later credit applications are made for O2 and Apple Online. What possible reason would there be for them to check my credit file before applying for credit?
The lady I spoke with at Barclays finance said that this was not an isolated incident and that all that is needed to apply for the finance is recorded on the credit file.0 -
Name, address and date of birth are virtually public information for many people.
Maybe they just checked your credit file to see if you were worth scamming.
Are you a company director?0 -
Yes, a company director.0
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It's all public access on Companies House website then.
Chances are that is your problem, not the credit agency.
So time at present address, previous addresses, current credit contracts, etc. are all held at Companies House? I don't think so.
You seem to missing the point here. The fraud has been committed using some basis of information, what is worrying is the fact they were able to access my credit report on CE when I already have an account on their linked to my credit file.0 -
So time at present address, previous addresses, current credit contracts, etc. are all held at Companies House? I don't think so.
You seem to missing the point here. The fraud has been committed using some basis of information, what is worrying is the fact they were able to access my credit report on CE when I already have an account on their linked to my credit file.
How do you know they had that information?0 -
It is seldom checked, they just will not admit it.Because this was used, according to Barclays & O2, to process the credit applications - have you ever seen a credit agreement?
When I moved I had over 10 card apps approved, all had different times at addresses, previous employers etc.0 -
If that's the case they are encouraging fraud!
Thanks for your input.0
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