ID theft - dealing with Stress and inconvenience

adeelmpk

Experts

Recently my details were used to apply loan accounts, bank accounts and phone contracts by some impersonating my ID. The biggest mistake of my life - I'm an ex-talktalk customer and from the research I've done all the pointers point to that my details were leaked during talktalk data breach, although it can a little tricky to prove in the court of law.

Anyway here's what I've done since finding out that I've been a victim.

1. Reported to action fraud and got a crime reference number
2. Contacted all the companies where the my details were used to apply for accounts, those lenders/banks have put CIFAS markets on my file
3. Obtained credit reports from credit expert, equifax, callcredit and have them remove the fraudulent searches/activity from my credit file.
4. Subscribed to noddle alert service and keeping an eye on my credit file.


Now the bad news is that I'm getting letters/calls from existing companies where I genuinely held accounts with and they're getting stringent with my accounts. Today I've had a call from my credit card company advising that my credit card will be cancelled and they'll send a new one since my details have been compromised.

I've got a mortgage renewal application going on which might also be impacted, loans that I want to apply will now will possible be refused due to CIFAS markers.

I've always kept my credit file in pristine condition, its stressful to see that due some SOMEONE's mistake my file has has been completely trashed, making my life a living hell. Can I hold anyone responsible to cause all this stress and inconvenience and perhaps get the things sorted for the damage that I don't deserve.

Please, any advise to ease my misery will be appreciated.

DCFC79

You find the person who used your details and you hold them responsible.

Maybe call the loan companies so they know it's you who has applied.

adeelmpk

DCFC79 wrote: »

You find the person who used your details and you hold them responsible.

Maybe call the loan companies so they know it's you who has applied.

Well, you say like its easy. Even police and fraud departments struggle to find the culprits.

And even if I manage to find whoever responsible how's that gonna tidy up my credit file ! ? !

gunsandbanjos

The data leaked from talk talk is little more than could be found by simply googling you, ID impersonation is a huge issue nationwide at the moment, I really wouldn't pin your hopes on any compensation for 'stress and inconvenience '.

Stevie_Palimo

I've said it before and I'll say it again about ID theft :-

Basically Action fraud are as much use as a chocolate teapot, Police useless, and any other Governing Body also useless.

All you can do here is sort this yourself to a degree and basically contact as you have any Company concerned here, Ask them to supply you any info relating to this and an IP address is good to have then you can see if a pattern emerges, If it does then contact the network host and see if they will help you here, Most would if you explain the situation at least write to the culprit and tell them that you are aware of this.

By rights it should be dealt with differently but factor in the Police man hours and costs involved here and it does not make financial sense to look at these from a Police perspective, Now if you go back to them with as much information here as possible including the IP address that has input your details and if it matches throughout these applications a case can be made, Try to get the hosting networks name from as IP search online, Easy enough to do.

If reported to the Police and a reference number given then speak to the Companies concerned and state that any mark left on your file from this situation you want removed asap, Now for the most part a lot of Companies will assist you but some will basically say tough and not wish to help you by either providing info on this or even looking into it, If this happens a SAR request is required and yes the fee is down to you to pay, The good thing here is if you can find the actual culprit from this then you can look at a challenge for the costs incurred, Not easy and will be very time consuming, stressful and annoying but will then gradually get sorted out.

adeelmpk

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Basically Action fraud are as much use as a chocolate teapot, Police useless, and any other Governing Body also useless.

All you can do here is sort this yourself to a degree and basically contact as you have any Company concerned here

As frustrated as I am, I've to agree with you on above. If it's such a large issue then why something isn't being done about it. I feel there's absolutely no support for victims here whilst the shareholders [talktalk or whoever leaked] are busy counting the assets. Absolutely disgusting.

I know what the outcome will be but going to write to my MP.

Stevie_Palimo

adeelmpk wrote: »

As frustrated as I am, I've to agree with you on above. If it's such a large issue then why something isn't being done about it. I feel there's absolutely no support for victims here whilst the shareholders [talktalk or whoever leaked] are busy counting the assets. Absolutely disgusting.

I know what the outcome will be but going to write to my MP.

Good luck on that one writing to the MP for the area you live in may result in a sympathetic letter at best but do not for a second expect any changes here to be made, Also as for nothing is done well it is a regular crime that happens and Companies basically have a pot of money to cover the thefts/frauds as it is far cheaper than trying to implement a fool proof way of stopping the scammers.