Watch out - impersonation on line

morzov

Apologies if this is already known about but it may act as a timely reminder.

Yesterday I received a letter from Great Universal thanking me for taking out Shopping Insurance and attaching a Policy which referred to my account number. I was surpried to say the least because would never take out this type of insurance and didn't have a GUS account.

Subsequent phone calls confrmed that someone had opened an account online using my details and ordered some goods.

What is shocking is that only my address and DOB was needed - no credit card details needed. The list of people who could have access to that info is obviously enormous.Makes you think.

robnye

i would suggest you check your credit files....... asap.... just in case

morzov

robnye wrote: »

i would suggest you check your credit files....... asap.... just in case

Yes have ordered those - and hopefully details haven't been used elsewhere.

However, i'm still really hacked off that someone can get goods without any credit card / bank details. How can that be - and isn't it totally irresponsible of the online companies that supply under these circumstances to allow this.:mad:

hollydays

Is it usual for a company like this to let someone send goods to another address,other than yours?For the first order?

vikingaero

morzov wrote: »

Yes have ordered those - and hopefully details haven't been used elsewhere.

However, i'm still really hacked off that someone can get goods without any credit card / bank details. How can that be - and isn't it totally irresponsible of the online companies that supply under these circumstances to allow this.:mad:

It's a balance between supplying goods to the genuine majority and the extra cost and time in adding in extra checks and security. GUS obviously think that it isn't worth it.

morzov

hollydays wrote: »

Is it usual for a company like this to let someone send goods to another address,other than yours?For the first order?

Yes that puzzled me at first - original order was due to come to me and then subsequent large value to another address.

Seems to me that process simply invites fraud

marleyboy

Its lucky you checked up on it and hopefully had it cancelled. Moreso, that you dont pay them for any goods not ordered.

morzov

Got wind of another account opened yesterday when a catalogue turned up. This time the fraudster used false credit card details but that didn't stop the account being opened.

Bottom line is that seems very difficult to stop this happening so I have now taken the following action.

Arranged for copies of credit reports from Equifax and Experian.

Registered with CIFAS http://www.cifas.org.uk/ to go on a protective register which basically means that if anyone else tries to get credit in future then a check will have to be carried out with me and a password verified. Cost £11.50 I think but if it works will be well worth it.

In hindsight this is probably a good idea for a lot of people because I was always extremely careful about giving details out especially online but my details were still obtained. The fraudster doesn't have my bank or cc details but was still able to open accounts using address and DOB. When you think about who could have access to these details the list is pretty long.

Hopefully thats an end to it!

SCRIBES

What are Great Universal playing at! In Sep 07 someone opened an account in my name and I reported it to them. They said that they would investigate it and not to worry as I would not be charged for anything, and to check my credit rating. They said the account would be closed.
I checked my credit rating, which cost me £7.00 and a lot of hassle!:mad: Nothing untoward. Presumed that this would be the end of the matter.
Yesterday I got a statement with the same account details saying Card Payment Rejected £24 and another card payment rejected for £750 + shopping insurance £14.59. This account now shows me in debt for over £750!!
Before I let loose at GUS, can anyone explain why the Card Payment Rejected is showing as a debt? If it was rejected then surely it wouldn't be a credit on the account.
I'm absolutely furious with them - any suggestions to what else I might throw at them:rolleyes:

98jdougl

I think it's suggesting that a payment was attempted to be made by card but it bounced- the £750 debt is credit given by the company, the £24 or whatever it was is their charge for a bounced payment
Although that is just the impression it gives me