How can I get debt from identity theft removed or ones which are disputed?

Viberduo

2 issues here, one is that I moved next to a drug dealer and had a shared letterbox, during the period I lived there had a lot of credit got in my name but already had a low score due to getting credit cards when I was 18 that I did not pay back(I am now 31)

Since I was about 21 I have been good with debts as far as I can, until 2 of my bank accounts were emptied and both my credit cards which I never used had been maxed out and banks refused to help as they could not find the original dispute or claim I never handed in forms, or with my credit card the company sent me debt collection letters but I did not know the card had been used since all the statements were stolen and when I disputed it they rang me once at around 7.30am then never again.

Now the problem is I cant get any credit, cannot upgrade my bank accounts, cannot get a mobile phone etc.

What is the best way to sort this?

Experian_company_representative

If you've been a victim of ID fraud and there's fallout from this on your credit reports then the three credit reference agencies can help you set the record straight. Getting a copy of your credit reports is a sensible first step so you can see what's recorded. There's advice on this, and on contacting Experian's fraud team, in this Q&A . If you contact any one of the agencies, once fraud is confirmed, they can help you alert the other two.

James Jones

Tixy

Hi

When did you first find out that someone had been accessing credit in your name and had maxed out your existing accounts?

Did you report it to the police at that time and did they provide you with a crime number?

What period did the identity theft take place from / until?

How did you believe the person emptied your bank accounts? did they obtain new cards from your bank or what? if so then the bank will obviously have a record of issuing those new cards and did you call them as soon as your existing cards stopped working?

I think you need to start by writing to every creditor so say either you did not open the account and your identity was being used by someone with access to your post, or that whilst it was your account it has been used fraudulently by another person with access to your post.

In the meantime you could add a notice of correction to your credit file to explain that the accounts were opened by another person. It probably won't make a big difference in terms of being accepted for credit now, but at least will make any creditors searching your file aware of the dispute.

A guide on dealing with identity theft and the steps to take is listed here - http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud_protection/identity_fraud

Viberduo

For the card thing, 1 new one was sent out but needed to be activated but as the person had been stealing things like birthday and christmas cards he knew things like my mothers name, and my date of birth etc.

For the banks it was many accounts of things like paypal, the bank saw no strangeness in spending 3 thousand pounds on a website in a few days, the other bank just said it was a lot of things like online food orders and since I used 2 of of the companies before it was suspicious.

As for police involvement, not at first as the police kept on telling me it was a civil matter, literally 2 years later when I rang up they gave me a crime reference number, during the period I also had a housing benefit cheque stolen and cashed and jsa giro stolen.

Before the id theft I did a credit check and had zero defaults, one or two late payments (which is an issue in itself as was overcharged a few times so did not pay people like BT till it was sorted) but have not had one recently but I did try applying for a mobile phone recently and all turned me down bar Virgin when I last applied for one 4 years ago I was accepted but at the time changed mind.

To also go into greater detail I had 2 bank accounts closed last year for similar reasons, one decided to close my account as I had been constantly overdrawn though the reason was someone had put direct debits in my name, and another was for a basic account with zero overdraft that a company let a £100 visa debt transaction go through and because by that time the account was closed refused to help.

Tixy

Sounds like a real mess - and realistically is going to take quite a bit of time and effort to try to get sorted. You need to work through it step by step. I would keep everything in writing and by post and keep a copy of all the letters you send to the lenders etc.

The banks /lenders will all investigate the relevant accounts, follow paper trails etc and make a decision on the fraud, and therefore a decision on whether to change your credit file.

wowclothes

Sorry not be starting my own posting, but trying to work out how to post is driving me mad (sorry MSE for the critisism).

I have just returned from working away all week to find a letter from a debt collection company, saying I owe Next Directory Ltd over £600, and had failed to make payments. It also said that if I did not pay by the 11th, may result in legal action.

I have no idea what they are they are talking about, as I have never had an account of any kind with Next, and last bought from them in 1998 (in a shop, not the directory).

I am like a rabbit in headlights at present, and don't know what to do.

I have ordered a credit report tonight, but have not had it emailed accross yet.
I pay my credit cards off every month, have a job, and also my bank account seems ok.

Should I phone this debt company about their 'final demand'? It is the first letter that I have ever received from them or any such company. I am truly scared right now.

Should I contact Next? / the police?

Any help desperately appreciated.

Craig