Is this fraud and what can I do?

thestranger1

Hi

I received a letter from a mobile phone company addressed to myself giving me a pac code. The phone number it relates to is nothing to do with me so I phoned the company, they said its definitely got your details attached to it. Anyway so I have done some digging and it looks like an acquaintance has used my details to get this mobile phone. Not used my bank account details though. I don't know what I can do about it? What worries me is what else they may have used my name and address for. Is there anything I can do? Just to add this person is only just 16 so I have no idea if the parents know or anything? Would the neighbour hood police team be interested, the phone could be being used for anything?

Thanks

Guest101

thestranger1 wrote: »

Hi

I received a letter from a mobile phone company addressed to myself giving me a pac code. The phone number it relates to is nothing to do with me so I phoned the company, they said its definitely got your details attached to it. Anyway so I have done some digging and it looks like an acquaintance has used my details to get this mobile phone. Not used my bank account details though. I don't know what I can do about it? What worries me is what else they may have used my name and address for. Is there anything I can do? Just to add this person is only just 16 so I have no idea if the parents know or anything? Would the neighbour hood police team be interested, the phone could be being used for anything?

Thanks

Call actionfraud get a crime reference number.
The account is in your name, phone the mobile company up up. Tell them to block the line and report it to them as identity fraud, give them crime reference number.

Leave it there.

Local police wont be interested too much.

Gigervamp

In addition to what Guest101 said, I'd also inform the parents.

BigAunty

I don't know the legal answer. Perhaps there's a consumer board on MSE.

However, at a historic address, I suspected my ex-lodger of applying for credit in a false name (not mine or hers). When I contacted the organisation (an online clothes shop) they said something along the lines of 'It's not illegal to order goods and services in another name than your own'.

So I formed the impression that a person can order goods and services in other names at other addresses and it's not necessarily illegal in itself, perhaps the Fraud part comes in when it is the name of another actual person at the property or the goods aren't paid for. I don't really know.


But other posters will be able to advise you better on your dilemma.

BigAunty

Do you think the phone was sent to your address and intercepted or do you think the person had it sent to another address or picked it up in a shop?

Have you had any other mail go missing?

Does this person have any access to the property, perhaps from having a key or knowing someone with a spare key?

thestranger1

Identity fraud happens when a stolen identity is used to obtain goods or services by deception.

Fraudsters can use your identity details to:
• Open bank accounts
• Obtain credit cards, loans and state benefits.
• Order goods in your name.
• Take over your existing accounts.
• Take out mobile phone contracts.
• Obtain genuine documents like passports and driving licences in your name.
Stealing someone’s identity details does not, on its own, constitute identity fraud. But when that identity is used for any of the above activities it does.


So reading this it looks like fraud^

i don't know about other mail, but have just realised his renewal barclaycard hasnt arrived, looking into that now.

Yes they had a key for a while

Action fraud said it was identity theft and t mobile are looking into it and calling it fraud.

Thanks for the help

Guest101

BigAunty wrote: »

I don't know the legal answer. Perhaps there's a consumer board on MSE.

However, at a historic address, I suspected my ex-lodger of applying for credit in a false name (not mine or hers). When I contacted the organisation (an online clothes shop) they said something along the lines of 'It's not illegal to order goods and services in another name than your own'.

So I formed the impression that a person can order goods and services in other names at other addresses and it's not necessarily illegal in itself, perhaps the Fraud part comes in when it is the name of another actual person at the property or the goods aren't paid for. I don't really know.


But other posters will be able to advise you better on your dilemma.

Basically you're right.

Ordering something paid for in another person's name is not in itself illegal.

But this is a mobile phone contract (which forms a credit agreement) and that is the difference.