Tesco Bank card arrived in post - but person is unknown at this address

bxboards

Hi

I got a letter in the post today from Tesco Bank, with a Tesco Bank Instant Access Savings card attached. Apparently a PIN will be arriving in a separate letter!

The address on the letter is correct, however the person who's name appears on the card isn't me, and is unknown to me.

I've phoned up Tesco this morning and reported this, and told them I'd be returning the card in the post, but expressed my concern that someone was using my address details to obtain financial services. They said they'd get back to me.

I want to make sure this doesn't happen again, and that this person isn't leaving markers all over my credit file.

I don't really understand how Tesco can get this wrong as surely they need to verify a persons name and address and cross check?

grumbler

Firstly, this is a savings account.
Secondly, it's not your name.
So, no way this can leave any markers in your credit file.

bxboards

grumbler wrote: »

So, no way this can leave any markers in your credit file.

Thanks, I was hoping that was the case.

I still can't fathom how someone could open a saving account using my address. I'm sure most banks would want proof of ID and address, and if they couldn't provide that, they'd check the electoral roll and maybe use credit reference agencies to verify the ID, as normally you need the last 3 years addresses etc?

I still can't fathom how someone was able to open even a savings account using my address though.

CLAPTON

bxboards wrote: »

Thanks, I was hoping that was the case.

I still can't fathom how someone could open a saving account using my address. I'm sure most banks would want proof of ID and address, and if they couldn't provide that, they'd check the electoral roll and maybe use credit reference agencies to verify the ID, as normally you need the last 3 years addresses etc?

I still can't fathom how someone was able to open even a savings account using my address though.

presumably the possibility of a mistake is ruled out?

innovate

Someone could have forged documents to 'prove' their address. It still shouldn't concern you as they are not using your identity. You have done the right thing to highlight the issue to Tesco but that's all you could do.

InsideInsurance

Return them unopened marking the envelope "Return to Sender - Addressee Unknown"

When Tesco's Bank receive them back it will trigger their investigation process.

robatwork

Every little helps....

the_insider

Why would you open a letter addressed to someone you don't know? Put it in the post box, put the kettle on. Sorted.

bxboards

the_insider wrote: »

Why would you open a letter addressed to someone you don't know? Put it in the post box, put the kettle on. Sorted.

Eh?

Normally I assume letters coming to my address are for me, not for some random unknown Joe Blogs, so naturally I'd open a letter coming to my address through my letterbox. I think most people would too be honest.

I've posted it back, but as I said, the letter says there will be follow up letters (ie a PIN for the card I just returned).

Posting it back isn't 'sorting' it, that's just a head in the sand response if you don't mind me saying so.

Herbalus

bxboards wrote: »

Posting it back isn't 'sorting' it, that's just a head in the sand response if you don't mind me saying so.

I would also open post like that, but I think that's just because I'm curious (and if it comes to my address, I want to know why).

However, this really isn't an issue that you can "sort" - all you can really do is send it back. Tesco won't talk to you about how it happened because you're not the customer, and that's if they actually know.

the_insider

bxboards wrote: »

Eh?

Normally I assume letters coming to my address are for me, not for some random unknown Joe Blogs, so naturally I'd open a letter coming to my address through my letterbox. I think most people would too be honest.

Normally I assume that things with my name on are addressed to me and things with someone else's name on are addressed to someone else, regardless of where they are sent.
If you have opened the mail before you return it tesco won't do anything with it. Likewise they can't act on your instruction to stop the post being sent.
As you've been told, write not at this address and put it back in the post. Ignore any subsequent letters. Relax.