Identity Fraud

Howler

Decided to remove the post, I just need help exposing loop holes for criminals in the banking system. Making me a victim of identity fraud due to lax security, I’m shocked at how easy it is for somebody to steal my identity and secure goods and credit in my name, only needing my name and nothing else to set up a bank account, obtain a debit card and use that to secure more credit in my name...it’s truly shocking...please help me close these loop holes in major banks making it easy for fraudsters to destroy our lives....please help!!!

worried_jim

Ahhh! My eyes!

No one will bother with a wall of text. Add paragraphs.

Howler

Do you think with the stress I am under I have any ability to write correctly, somebody is out there accruing massive debt in my name.

worried_jim

Howler wrote: »

Do you think with the stress I am under I have any ability to write correctly, somebody is out there accruing massive debt in my name.

Clearly not, which is a shame as there are a lot of people who can help.

Try again, with just the facts, no opinions or rants. Make it clear and concise so we can help you get this sorted, which should be simple to do as you have done nothing wrong and have been a victim of fraud.

RG2015

The banks are coming under a bit of pressure for lax account opening controls as per the post I have linked to below.

The first step you need to take is checking your credit reports for free with the MSE credit a club for Experian, Clearscore for Equifax and Noddle for Callcredit. This will indicate the extent of the ID fraud.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5760380

meer53

As soon as one loophole is closed, the fraudsters will find another. Try not to stress too much about it, concentrate on sorting out your issue and don't take it personally.

RG2015

meer53 wrote: »

As soon as one loophole is closed, the fraudsters will find another. Try not to stress too much about it, concentrate on sorting out your issue and don't take it personally.

Agreed, but this does not excuse the banks KYC checks allowing fraudsters to open accounts with extremely flimsy ID verification.

Howler

I reported to action fraud then phoned them as I had no reply, apparently there is a 7 yo 8 week backlog before they pick up my case. I tried to add more detail to the case file but it doesn’t appear to be possible. I Informed them again about this loop hole but they weren’t interested and told me to report it to the banking ombudsman. The number they gave me doesn’t work....they ended the chat...they could prevent so many new cases if they acted on the information that I have, but they are not interested. So there will be more victims, through the same route because this person is still at large since the police haven’t picked up the case yet...

Howler

I have got a Noddle report but they don’t cover all of market, didn’t even show a Barclaycard account that I’ve had for 30 years. I’ve tried Experian but they cannot verify my ID, do I’m having to post ID to them to open an account. If only they were as lax as the banks I’d be able to find out what searches are happening in my name. I did manage to find and stop one through noddle, that firm has posted a fraud warning through CIFAS on my credit report. This really isnt easy to deal with and not as quick as some people make out.

Howler

The basic issue here is that anyone can apply for an account in any name and at any address, giving any ID online that doesn’t even have to be real.

They then have 30 days to go to a branch to show the ID. In the meantime, they have a bank card delivered along with a pin, once they have this new bank ID in their hands in your name, they change the address on the account, then use this new card ID in your name and your address to gain further credit, take out contracts etc etc and you are none the wiser. They can do a lot of damage in 30 days before they haven’t turned up at the bank with any real ID.
By which time they have obtained further cards and ID by the fact they’ve used the fake bank card to start the process. I really can’t believe how simple this is. This person has already had thousands of merchandise in my name, and that’s what I know about, what about the rest.

RG2015

@Howler, I understand that you are angry and frustrated but you do need to focus on your own priorities. It may be easy for fraudsters to open bank accounts in someone else's name but correcting this would not solve your current problem.

You need to get your Experian and Equifax reports as soon as possible. The Government Verify scheme is an excellent way to obtain online identity credentials. If you have and NI number, passport and driving licence this is usually quite straight forward but until you try you will not know. If this does work it will facilitate online verification for a wide range of products and crucially help to stop ID theft.

You also mention a 30 year old Barclaycard account not appearing on Noddle. This is not unusual, as 30 years ago banks did not have customers' approval to share data. My old credit card and bank account do not appear on any of my reports with the three CRAs.

It is also worth registering for CIFAS yourself as this will ensure that any future fraudulent applications will be subject to extra security.

One other point. Have you actually lost any money?