Fraud & Default spotted on credit report

dutting

Hi
Sorry if this has been answered before but I am new to the site.
I applied for a mortgage and was refused last week. Turns out someone at an address we left 5 years ago has taken out credit in my name, defaulted on the account and left me with a default on my credit rating. The police are unable to help as I haven't suffered personal financial loss, so I have contacted the company concerned and Equifax but was wondering if anyone had experience of this.
As it now means I am in the situation of having poor credit - I wanted to know how long this would take to be removed, if I have to contact all credit reference agencies and also would this one default have such negative impact.
Also, once it is removed can I apply for credit after or is my score affected by this default for some time?
Sorry for all the questions.
thanks

Tixy

Hi

I wanted to know how long this would take to be removed,

Depends how easy it is to convince the creditor that this was identity theft and not a debt of yours. Likely it will take some time - maybe months for them to investigate and make a decision.

if I have to contact all credit reference agencies and also would this one default have such negative impact.

If the company agree it is not you they should remove the entry from whichever of the 3 credit ref agencies they report to.
If you want to file a notice of correction with the CRAs in the meantime then you need to do that individually for each of the 3 that the default appears on.

Yes 1 unpaid default could have a very large impact on your ability to get credit and a mortgage.

Also, once it is removed can I apply for credit after or is my score affected by this default for some time?

Once its removed then it will no be visible that it was ever there. Any potential lender will only see your data as at the date you apply.

dutting

Thank you for your reply.
I didn't think to even check before applying and have found a buyer for my house. If it takes months it means I will have to rent until it is sorted .
I'm hoping it will be quite straightforward as the account was only opened last December (think they did their xmas shopping on it) and shows as defaulted in July. I have sent evidence I left the address in 2009 and the date of birth on this account is completely incorrect - (I thought this would be a check used to ensure the correct person opens the account).
I find it really shocking that the police don't deal with it unless its a personal loss, this must mean these people can get away with it if the debt is just removed.
I am relieved to hear it will be removed completely, it is giving me nightmares!

dutting

Sorry one more question - for the notice of correction would I just send a letter with the details in it? I know it won't make much difference but this has left me in a right 'pickle'.
I have had a nightmare trying to obtain reports - still waiting for a PIN from experian and Noddle let me registered but then won't let me log in.

fermi

You can report it to http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ to get a crime number you can quote to the companies. You can report ID theft/fraud to the police via that.

Probably a good idea to tell them companies that you also wish to take the matter to the FOS if they don't investigate and sort it within 8 weeks.

matttye

Sounds like the CRAs have cocked up again. They shouldn't be putting data on your file when the date of birth doesn't match.

For future reference, you should always check all three of your reports before applying for credit - especially something like a mortgage.

fermi

matttye wrote: »

Sounds like the CRAs have cocked up again. They shouldn't be putting data on your file when the date of birth doesn't match.

True. CRAs are meant to do basic checks to make sure data is matched accurately, and this is one of them. In that case I would extend the formal complaint to the CRAs processing of the clearly incorrect data, and tell them that you will take them to the FOS as well if not removed.

dutting

Thanks for your replies. I will always check in future. Finally received an Experian Pin number today and so checked and there are more defaults on there. It's crazy how easy it is for someone to access my account for fraud but a major issue to get it corrected! I've written to them all, enclosing my details and proof of my actual date of birth - will be interesting to see the response. On experian the default shows twice against my name so I'm assuming that once is as if its for accounts with late payments and once for the default. Am hoping they do act quickly as provided them with lots of evidence. Also noticed about 6 searches carried out against my name around the same time this account was opened so have raised that as an issue as surely as they are associated with fraud they are also to be removed.
I rang the police but as I wasn't financially impacted they couldn't help but i have registered it on the action fraud website as these people should not get off with no accountability.
who are FOS please?

tinkerbell28

You ARE financially impacted. As it stands you owe the money according to credit files.

I had this exact scenario. Ex address, incorrect dob. I found out by fluke as I had a redirect set up.

Report it to 101 and say you wish to report it as a crime. As currently you can't get a mortgage, you are being held to account for money you haven't borrowed.

The crime reference number will see it is removed from your files. Then the companies will be those financially impacted.

rizla_king

FOS are the Financial Ombudsman.

leighlaz

I know how you are feeling I have just gone through your problem. It took from April to August to get it fully cleared. This was after large amounts of phone calls and Experian help. The company who put the mark on your record can actually remove it quickly but you will need to supply information to say it wasnt you in the first place. You will need to supply a crime reference number to the company(s). My wife and I were rejected from a couple of mortgage companies until this was sorted out.

Also be careful that you link all previous addresses to your credit report as this was the one that caught me out.

The best way is to keep chasing them.

Good luck.