Conned by a Friend

AndyPix

Nicmun87 wrote: »

my credit rating was at 12.

12 what ?


12 bananas ?


That "score" is a number made up by the credit reference agencies and has no meaning here.


If what you are saying is accurate then i really cant see how the companies can NOT investigate this.
Surely the burden of proof doesnt lie with the person whos identity has been stolen :huh:


Perhaps you might get more helpful advice in the conumer rights section

Candyapple

Did you transfer the money to your friend? I'm confused. If you didn't then surely just pay the companies back their money?

How many loans in total were taken out?

Names of the loan companies?

You need to check all 3 of your credit files to make sure nothing else has been taken out or applied for.

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

Nicmun87

I transferred the money as she told me I was only sent it to prove my account existed.


It was Quick Quid, Instant Cash Loans T/A Payday UK and Oakbrook Finance T/A Likely Loans


There were 3 loans totalling £3,750 but the money due back is just under £8,000 including interest and late payment charges

Candyapple

Nicmun87 wrote: »

Thank you, I am currently doing that and the police advised taking her to civil court to try and get something back from her.

All you need from the police/Action Fraud is the crime reference number. The onus is not on you to get the money back - it is the loan companies as she has committed fraud against them.

Register for CIFAS protective registration so that your friend and no-one else will be able to do this in future:
https://www.cifas.org.uk/services/identity-protection/protective-registration

Once you have the crime reference number, you need to write to all the loan companies and let them know your friend used your ID to commit ID fraud and give them as many details about her as you can and include the crime reference number from the police and who to contact at Action Fraud/police dept. should the companies wish to take any action against your friend.

You also need to specify in your letter that they remove all adverse data they have reported about you to all 3 credit reference agencies, including any hard searches. This is very important.

Looking at it from the companies point of view, it does indeed look suspect, because any normal person when large sums of money are deposited unknowingly in their account would want to know where it came from and how to return it. Not willingly give it to a friend and then claim said friend fraudulently used your details. For all they know you did apply for the loans and then for whatever reason you are now trying to pin the blame on your friend. I'm not denying what you say happened, but it's why the importance of a crime reference number is needed here because ultimately the loan companies want to hold someone accountable for the loss of money.

BorisThomson

Nicmun87 wrote: »

Thank you, I am currently doing that and the police advised taking her to civil court to try and get something back from her.

Before doing this, be sure that she actually has something to pay you back with. Does she work, does she own property? A court award will only help you if she has some way of paying.

Nicmun87

Honestly, I'm not smart enough to have seen my friend was doing this to me never mind being smart enough to make up a plan like this.

Nicmun87

She has a full time job, rents a house with her own furniture and has a car.

Candyapple

BorisThomson wrote: »

Before doing this, be sure that she actually has something to pay you back with. Does she work, does she own property? A court award will only help you if she has some way of paying.

There is absolutely no point talking about courts and whether she has a job or not. The onus is on the loan companies to get the money back - NOT the OP.

Nicmun87 you absolutely must get that crime reference number and make sure you send all letters by recorded delivery. Request that all correspondence is kept in writing and that the loan companies write back to you to confirm what action they will be taking. Some will be easier to work with than others but please keep your thread updated as to what happens and we'll advise you further should they come back and refuse to help.

Destabilising

The first big red flag on that one for me would have been that these are payday loan companies, if they came into my bank I would have questioned it straight away. I'm surprised these companies aren't doing more as it is them that will be losing out on money. I'm almost sure that these companies don't provide guarantor loans. If you've already spoken to CAB and waiting on a solicitor, and the companies, and the police, there's not much else you can do except wait.

Nicmun87

The companies have stated that they don't do guarantor loans. I am waiting to speak to CAB and the solicitor. Just looking for other places to get advice