credit application address fraud

CMoCupcake

My ex-lodger has been using my address to try to get credit. A letter of refusal arrived this weekend, which is how I found out. He left 6 months ago. He was never on the electoral roll at my address. What do you suggest I do? How can I find out if he has used my address for other applications? Does it affect my own credit rating?

Tixy

It does not affect your credit rating no.

You cannot find out if he has used your address for any other applications except for if you receive any other letters addressed to him. Most credit applications will result in a least one letter being sent out. Have there been any others? do you have a new lodger who may have passed other post on to him?

Did he leave on good terms? could you contact him and explain you opened the letter by accident but point out that he should not be using your address any longer?

You could return the letter to the sender with 'no longer living at this address' on it.

MrSilk

First of all I shouldn't worry too much, credit files are against individuals and not addresses, so it in no way shall affect your credit worthiness.

As for the applications, you have stated he wasn't on the electoral roll; this is the first thing that any lender would check, so any future credit applications are likely to be refused on this basis.

Hope this helps and puts your mind at ease

CMoCupcake

No new lodger since. Yes I still have his mob no. I could indeed tell him I opened it by mistake and tell him not to do it again. I was absolutely furious. And extremely worried. But your replies have calmed me down somewhat! Thanks.


I did wonder if he had his post redirected, would I ever know if he had done other applications? Maybe this letter slipped through accidentally because the Post Office didn't redirect?

MrSilk

CMoCupcake wrote: »

No new lodger since. Yes I still have his mob no. I could indeed tell him I opened it by mistake and tell him not to do it again. I was absolutely furious. And extremely worried. But your replies have calmed me down somewhat! Thanks.


I did wonder if he had his post redirected, would I ever know if he had done other applications? Maybe this letter slipped through accidentally because the Post Office didn't redirect?

By all means you can ask him not to apply using your address again, however legally this can't be stopped as far as I know, if he fluctuates addresses each time he does a credit application, I'm sure it would be picked up by CIFAS as fraud IMO.

It may be, but I'm not sure if it is illegal to open other people post, maybe someone else on here can shed some more light on this.