Identity theft...defaults

dstar86

My boyfriend recently received letters in from a company called Lowells stating he'd defaulted on a number of accounts that he had no clue about. Did a bit of investigating and discovered his mum (whom we do not speak to) had opened up several catalogue accounts in his name, spent thousands of pounds on them and then defaulted on all of them. Can only assume the debt collection agencies got his current address through the electoral register as his mum does not have it.

He contacted Action Fraud and has been given a report number which he has then used to contact all the debt collection agencies to inform them we are treating this as fraudulent. The agencies did state it was her contact details on the accounts and her address (which did used to be his before he moved in with me) so they too would undertake a fraud investigation.

Just wondering how easy it is to prove fraud on these accounts, as when she opened them he was living with her at the time. He never saw any mail or packages come in (she obviously managed to hide it all). Obviously his credit rating has taken a severe knock and we've been in touch with Experian to put a fraud alert on his file.

She has previous of this type of fraud before so we're determined to ensure something gets done about it. Just don't know how easy it'll be to prove and to then get his credit file wiped clear. Is there anything else we should be doing? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Deleted User]

It sounds straightforward. Contact all three CRAs though, not just Experian.

National_Debtline

Hi dstar86


It sounds like you've done the right things already by reporting the fraud to Action Fraud and obtaining a crime reference number. It's now down to the creditors to investigate and hopefully agree the debts are fraudulent. If that happens, your boyfriend will not be held liable for the debts and the debts will be removed from his credit file.


If they decide not to accept the debts are fraudulent it's best to contact one of the free debt advice agencies for more detailed advice.


Susie
@natdebtline

dstar86

Thanks for the advice! I thought we'd done the right things, just hoping that the debt companies see it that way too.

We have contacted Experian, Noddle and will contact Equifax too, ensure that they are all aware of the fraud.