New tenants at previous address trying to obtain credit

Claire036

Hi
So i have checked my credit file with clearscore and for a second time, new tenants at my old address have used my details with a different date of birth to try and obtain another catalogue account. It has been declined but has affected my credit score i have contacted the company in question again and they just apologised and told me it would be removed within 28 days. I dunno what else to do to stop this happening again. Last time they tried was in november 16 and this has been removed. Am worried incase they have maybe used my details for other thing than credit. Do i have a right to contact estate agents renting property and also is it still ok to report to police even though no money has been taken or account opened? Im trying to get a mortgage in the near future and due a new baby in just two weeks so a bit stressed about it all. Any advice and help would be great. Thanks.

Candyapple

Step 1: Obtain copies of all 3 of your credit reports to make sure there are no other accounts/attempts of opening accounts.

The free versions to check your credit files are below:
Experian: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
Call Credit: https://www.noddle.co.uk
Equifax: https://www.clearscore.com

Step 2: Report ID theft to police in order to obtain a crime reference number:
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud_protection/identity_fraud

Step 3: Write to all lenders on your files who the tenants have taken out accounts/made credit searches in your name and inform them that:

a) the account/credit search was taken out/done fraudulently by ID theft

b) supply them with the crime reference number so that they know you have reported it to the police and if they need to pursue costs they know who to contact

c) Ask them to remove the accounts/hard credit searches from your files

Don't just take their word that they will remove any accounts/hard searches from your file, you need to follow the exact steps and keep it in writing.

Step 4: Sign up for CIFAS protective registration to prevent them from doing this again in the future.
https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr_for_individuals

tenchy

These details cannot have appeared on your report if they used a different date of birth. Someone with a different date of birth is not you.

phillw

Claire036 wrote: »

also is it still ok to report to police even though no money has been taken or account opened?

Yes. They are attempting to commit fraud, whether they are successful or not is irrelevant.

tenchy wrote: »

These details cannot have appeared on your report if they used a different date of birth. Someone with a different date of birth is not you.

If people keep driving into you then it puts up your insurance, maybe they do the same thing if people keep trying to steal your identity?

Candyapple

tenchy wrote: »

These details cannot have appeared on your report if they used a different date of birth. Someone with a different date of birth is not you.

They can and do appear on your credit report if someone is trying to use your identity to open fraudulent accounts.

A clear example is what the OP has described, they know her full name from I presume post that has been sent to her at her old address and have made up a DOB to open a new account, more than likely a catalogue account as they aren't too stringent with their checks and it's an easy way to run up debt in someone else's name. Just do a quick search of these forums to see how common this is.

System

Candyapple wrote: »

They can and do appear on your credit report if someone is trying to use your identity to open fraudulent accounts.

A clear example is what the OP has described, they know her full name from I presume post that has been sent to her at her old address and have made up a DOB to open a new account, more than likely a catalogue account as they aren't too stringent with their checks and it's an easy way to run up debt in someone else's name. Just do a quick search of these forums to see how common this is.

Fraudsters managed to open a Barclaycard in my name with a random date of birth more than 15 years my senior.

I only found out when I got a Barclaycard I hadn't applied for!

The erroneous DOB was listed on my credit files until I had the account/searches expunged

Robisere

Best advice here is candyapple's. I cannot add anything to that, but am copying details for someone I know in a similar position. Claire036, please follow that advice, to the letter.

Thank you, candy!

Geoff1963

Yes. They are attempting to commit fraud, whether they are successful or not is irrelevant.

Exactly.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/section/2
2 Fraud by false representation
(1)A person is in breach of this section if he—
(a)dishonestly makes a false representation, and
(b)intends, by making the representation—
(i)to make a gain for himself or another, or
(ii)to cause loss to another or to expose another to a risk of loss.

In other words : the intention is enough, and it only has to expose to risk. The e-mail from the fake Nigerian prince is therefore fraud, even if no-one replies,

Fireflyaway

I'd definitely report it to the police and the estate agent / landlord.
My husband has accounts with 2 different dates of birth( the bank made a mistake) so it can happen even though the details are not 100% accurate.
I'm guessing this happened because they opened some post? Have you had everything re directed? Probably a bit late now though.
Good that you checked your files and make sure you carry on doing so.

tenchy

Candyapple wrote: »

They can and do appear on your credit report if someone is trying to use your identity to open fraudulent accounts.

A clear example is what the OP has described, they know her full name from I presume post that has been sent to her at her old address and have made up a DOB to open a new account, more than likely a catalogue account as they aren't too stringent with their checks and it's an easy way to run up debt in someone else's name. Just do a quick search of these forums to see how common this is.

I'm not so sure. You are known at the credit bureaus by name, address and DoB. If these don't match they cannot, or at least should not, log a record for you. If they do this then they must be in breach of the data protection rules. The OP should contact the relevant authorities complaining that the credit bureau is in violation of the rules.

System

Claire036 wrote: »

I dunno what else to do to stop this happening again. Last time they tried was in november 16 and this has been removed.

Phone the police and report it. They're trying to commit fraud.