Littlewoods Account ex partner setup account

truCido

Hi I'm wondering if anyone can offer me some advice. An ex partner setup multiple credit card accounts in my name as well as accounts with Littlewoods, Very AND Simply me. She ran up thousands of pounds on each account. She was intercepting my post as she was living full time in my house and not working so I had no idea these accounts existed. The credit card companies have been very good and have actually written off the debt and helped me get a fraud marker placed on my account.

Littlewoods, Very and Simply Be who I thnk are the same company in the background! however have been less than helpful, they wouldn't even give me a breakdown of what was bought on the account and told me I had to raise with the Police, not a problem. I did this and got a crime ref number and after months the Police have said they can't find evidence of fraud and closed it off. It's then instantly passed to a debt collection agency to collect the debt. The debt collection company actually seem more helpful however I can't believe its been passed to them so quickly. I've asked them for the signed CCA however they've said because it was online there isn't a signed document. They are working on sending me statements and the agreement though, which I haven't seen yet. I assume its all done via email/online accounts as nothing has been sent to me in the post.

I'm not very confident in sorting this out with littlewoods and not really sure where I legally stand and what I can do. Is anyone able to offer some advice on how I can sort this out? Thanks!

Pound-Of-Flesh

It sound very strange the police say there was "no evidence" of fraud. If you gave a statement saying that your partner opened these accounts without your knowledge, surely that is "evidence".

There may not be enough for the police to prosecute her. But that is different from there being no evidence that a crime actually took place. Sadly the police may not be interested in this distinction.

But I think the crucial point here is whether you are legally liable for this debt. And you should NOT be held liable if you are basically a victim of identity theft. This is a civil matter between you and Littlewoods etc - not a matter for the police.

My advice is to go to the Citizen's Advice Bureau. You will get free professional advice from people with experience in this area. Also if they write on your behalf, you will probably find Littlewoods and/or the debt collectors suddenly start listening.

I'm not an expert, but I am 99% sure that in law, your ex has conned them, not conned you. So you don't legally owe anything.

Pound-Of-Flesh

Also, if they keep harassing you you might have a case against them with the Financial Ombudsman.

phillw

it does sound like the police have let you down, I would approach them again saying you wish for charges to be pressed against your ex and ask them to explain in detail why they refuse to do so.

I would also complain separately to littlewoods, very & simply be and say you want a dead lock letter so you can take the case to the financial ombudsman.