Previous owners still taking out credit

BitterAndTwisted

It's a hoary old chestnut which has been discussed to death on here an elsewhere.

You've got to intend to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse. If you're just nosey or curious you're not really doing either. If you erroneously suspect that someone else's affairs will impact on your own, I'd say you were entirely justified but there is no detriment. Someone who can't inform their creditors that they've moved only has themselves to blame.

monty-doggy

I didn't know it had been discussed before.

I don't think the sarcasm was needed, just explain it like you did.

olly300

monty-doggy wrote: »

Well either way I was only answering the OP question. No need for sarcasm. If the CAB is wrong, that's not my fault, and I didn't pretend to invent a new law.

Wouldn't it have been nicer, and in the spirit of this site, to kindly point out that it might not be true?

citricsquid has actually linked to the law as it stands.

What the CAB and Which state is their interpretation of the law due to the people who have turned to them for advice due to doing something stupid with someone else's post which is fraud or theft, and have been caught.

For example I accept a parcel wrongly addressed to my house for a neighbour and don't give it to them because it's a £500 phone. The delivery company then admits it addressed it incorrectly and takes me to court because I sold it on and can't return it.

However the person sending the post to this address is trying to commit a crime.

So it's quite legal- and I've actually done it - to open the letter and if it's a firm you have a connection to yourself - contact them to inform the person has moved. If you then have the address they have moved to you should give it to that firm.

yummum24

Ok, we had this when we used to rent, if anyone does turn up, just show them id ( it got so bad for us that we had the rental agreement close to the door! ) and if you are worried about you credit file there is a way to dissociate yourself from debt on the address if it is there, not sure how, but Google it and you'll probably find something! Good luck!

killzusall

The fact that they haven't changed their address I feel has been discussed, but not the fact that they are taking out new credit.
Yes I know opening the mail isn't legal, it was opened in error.
Thank you for your replies.

JuicyJesus

Credit searches do not just go on an address anyway, they go on a name and address, so you won't be affected in that sense. Your biggest worry would be bailiffs turning up, but they can't take your possessions if you're not the debtor.

Best thing to do is take any letters, mark them GONE AWAY and chuck them in a post box. Vendors won't like this as they will have credit cards and such blocked quicksharp until they supply new address details.

Yorkie1

Credit attaches to a person and not an address so it will have no impact on your credit rating.

As mentioned on here it is NOT illegal in itself to open post which has been correctly delivered i.e. it is addressed to your address. You only commit an offence if you open it with the malicious intention and absence of reasonable excuse already outlined.

It is perfectly in order to open the mail in order to redirect it, return it, or seek an address to contact the sender. It is alternatively perfectly in order to simply return it to the address on the back.

If you fear, or start, getting bailiffs at the door then keep a copy (not original) of something proving that you legally live there now e.g. rental agreement if you rent, and show that if need be.