Potential fraud attempt?

JamesN

Might be in the wrong section but i've just had an email from 'outgoing@mrlender.co.uk' saying that I had a loan application from them. Assumed it was spam but decided to check my credit file on noddle. The search is there under the company PDL.

Is it possible someone has obtained my details and is trying to take out a loan in my name?

How are they able to do a credit search on me? They used my old address which is strange. Is there any way I can protect myself?

I've reported it as not authorised by me, any idea what I should do next?

Tixy

Have you tried applying for any loans recently from payday loans companies or online loan brokers?

If not then then the credit search on your file could indicate a potential fraud, or it could possibly be an error (relating to someone with the same name as you).

I would definitely keep an eye on your credit file for the next couple of months.
Have you reported the unauthorised search to noddle or pdl?

eddddy

Hi JamesN

When you say you reported it, do you mean to MrLender?

If not, you should tell them about the email and credit search. Their contact details: https://www.mrlender.com/Home/ContactUs


It's strange that an ID fraudster is so stupid that they give your real email address. How did they expect MrLender to contact them?

JamesN

Nope, I'm an accountant so wouldn't touch payday loan companies and i've not applied for any loans either.

I've reported it to Noddle. The odd thing is the emails about the loan came to my personal email address? I've changed my email passwords since but wondering what else it may be worth changing?

Edit: have now emailed mrlender through the link above.

Should I change any other information?

Also, what happens if they are successful? As long as I see it and report it quickly it shouldn't affect my credit rating or anything should it?

JamesN

I've just had another email this time from Amigoloans. I believe this might just be mrlender passing on details but it does concern me that if they have my information they can try as many times as they like. Is there any way I can prevent the application in the first instance?

Is it likely to be a bot that is just trying loads of different names/addresses as it seems strange they haven't tried loads of different things?

eddddy

JamesN wrote: »

...
Is it likely to be a bot that is just trying loads of different names/addresses as it seems strange they haven't tried loads of different things?

Hi JamesN

I'm not sure what you think a bot might be doing and why.

If it's a genuine/sophisticated fraud attempt, why would they use your genuine email address (instead of setting their own up - something like jamesn2245zzp78@gmail.com - which they control)?

Applying for these loans is just a matter of filling in an online form.

Could a 'friend' be playing a prank on you: filling in lots of online forms so you get lots of annoying emails and phone calls?

JamesN

Bot as in some coded programme to use a database of info to apply for loans etc.

Surely an email address and an old address isn't enough to do a credit search on someone, wouldn't they need my bank info etc too? I'm just concerned that all they needed to do was change the email address? Is there no preventative measure I can take?

eddddy

JamesN wrote: »

Bot as in some coded programme to use a database of info to apply for loans etc.
...

You've misunderstood my question. Why would anyone do this, in your specific case? What's the point?

If it's a fraud attempt, it cannot succeed because they use your genuine email address.

JamesN

eddddy wrote: »

You've misunderstood my question. Why would anyone do this, in your specific case? What's the point?

If it's a fraud attempt, it cannot succeed because they use your genuine email address.

As with all fraud, to obtain money?

What is stopping them from using a different email address?

forgotmyname

Exactly what eddddy is saying if its a scam, Why would they use your email address that they cannot access?

Using their own email address would make much more sense. So who do you know that can link your email and your genuine ID ?

Somebody knows your email and ID enough to apply for a loan. A random
scammer wont usually be able to link your real ID to your email address.

daphnemoon

If a fraudster has applied for a same day loan the money could be in their account within an hour or two, too late for you to query the emails and stop the payment.

Call Experian or the other credit reference agencies as soon as you can to see just how many searches have happened. It's unlikely to be someone with the same name as you because they would have to have the same birthday and address for it to come up on your credit file.

Sounds like a call to your bank would also be in order to check nothing untoward is happening there as well.

Don't panic but don't leave it as if you are a victim of ID fraud the sooner you report it the better.

Hope this helps