Unknown Accounts/Credit Freeze

FalconMatt85

I recently found out my partner took out credit in my name in about 6 different accounts. All now are maxed out and this dramatically impacted my credit file.

I have asked my partner for the account details who refused, most like out of shame, but credit file doesn't tell who these are far and I am concerned these will continue to impact my credit file until I know the true picture.

Does anyone know of a way to stop anyone buying anything using these account or put a credit freeze across the board? Or does anyone have any ideas what I can do?

Please understand this is a very sensitive subject.

[Deleted User]

You can add a CIFAS marker which means extra checks will be needed when opening new accounts.

Your credit files will show the names of the current lenders. Check all three files for the full picture.

The lenders will expect you to report them to Action Fraud as fraudulent accounts. Only you can decide whether that's something you can do.

T-G-C

I would not consider them a true partner, if taking out financial products without your permission and then having the cheek to refuse to provide information about their wrongdoings.

I answered a thread similar to this one earlier and I recommended the person sort it out off-the-record due to being a sibling. In this case, I feel quite the opposite.

You should file an Action Fraud report, as suggested from zx81, including all relevant information. Your credit file from TransUnion, Experian and Equifax will provide the lender's trading name. For example "NEWDAY AMAZON" - include all of these details in the report. Then, contact the lender and inform them that these account(s) were taken out without your knowledge or consent and that an Action Fraud report has been opened. Provide them with the crime reference number generated by Action Fraud and allow them to conduct their own investigation too.

Inform your partner that the matter has been escalated to the authorities, due to both the offence and their refusal to accept responsibility and put things right. They did not refuse out of shame, they refused out of ignorance and further disrespect on top of the offence.

Sncjw

I wouldn’t even tell them your reporting them. This would give them time to make a story up if you do.

There was another poster who said their partner had taken out credit in their name. I would report to action fraud

DCFC79

Why did they do it ?


As advised report to action fraud is the correct option to take.


Consider being with them if they took out credit in your name.

If you stay with them then they need to get help (or you take out certain measures to prevent it happening).

T-G-C

Sncjw wrote: »

I wouldn’t even tell them your reporting them. This would give them time to make a story up if you do.

There was another poster who said their partner had taken out credit in their name. I would report to action fraud

It depends on the relationship to be honest, if they are living at the same address, I would be blunt about it, as the police could come knocking one morning.

If they leg it or turn adverse, this will only support the case more and make them look guilty, but for the simplest route, keeping it under-wraps is the best approach, you have a good point.

FalconMatt85

Whilst I agree with the advice to shop my partner, she is also the mother of my child and I won't be responsible for the police knocking on my door infront of our child. She is an excellent mother just has serious issue when it comes to leaving with her means.

As our details were the same and the letters, cards, etc. showed up whilst I was at work is how they were created and I never knew until my credit report.

I have managed to obtain 4 out of the 6 accounts and I am aware of 1 of the others. They are having phone problems so I have emailed them. She is adamant she doesn't know the other account.

Has anyone ever bargained with a company to reduce the debt or a settlement value? Is there a template?

FalconMatt85

DCFC79 wrote: »

Why did they do it ?
(or you take out certain measures to prevent it happening).

You have any ideas how I can do this? I have changed the email address and passwords so she should never get the details again.

DCFC79

FalconMatt85 wrote: »

You have any ideas how I can do this? I have changed the email address and passwords so she should never get the details again.

As suggested setting up CIFAS would be a start.

T-G-C

FalconMatt85 wrote: »

Whilst I agree with the advice to shop my partner, she is also the mother of my child and I won't be responsible for the police knocking on my door infront of our child. She is an excellent mother just has serious issue when it comes to leaving with her means.

As our details were the same and the letters, cards, etc. showed up whilst I was at work is how they were created and I never knew until my credit report.

I have managed to obtain 4 out of the 6 accounts and I am aware of 1 of the others. They are having phone problems so I have emailed them. She is adamant she doesn't know the other account.

Has anyone ever bargained with a company to reduce the debt or a settlement value? Is there a template?

Well, I have some bad news for you then. If you do not want to take the legal route of reporting the account(s) for being opened under third-party fraud, to which the lender will want to find out who is responsible for stealing their money from them, then you are responsible for the debt and will not be able to achieve a reduction on the amount you owe. The amount you owe will consist of the balance, any interest accumulated and if applicable, other charges if the account has defaulted like missing repayments etc.

You can plead financial difficulties with them, but since it is multiple accounts, doing so will destroy your credit file and will not be able to obtain credit for a long while. No prime lender will touch you for 6 years and a subprime lender will issue small limits.

You cannot cherry-pick at the situation, for example have the debt cleared and accounts closed for being a victim of fraud, but then intentionally prevent the person responsible from being prosecuted. If the police investigate and find out you knew she was guilty and did not tell them, for example her panicking at the police interview and telling them you knew, then you could be in trouble with the law as well. A massively complex situation which can be avoided.

Two options:

1. Report the fraud to Action Fraud and note in the report who was responsible. Let them assess the report and if appropriate, forward it to the police. Provide the lender(s) with the crime reference number and allow them to deal with the account(s) accordingly, most likely in co-operation with the police since it is the lender's money that has been stolen by identity fraud (or in your case identity fraud by proxy if you are protecting her), not your money.

2. Do not report it and be responsible for the debt in its entirety. Whether you clear it in full and brush past it --- or plead financial difficulty with all the lender(s) and set-up arrangements to clear the debt is up-to you. You cannot get the balance reduced or a settlement value, the lender wants everything your partner has spent and the interest agreed on your credit agreement, signed by your partner fraudulently.

Let me add also that the police will naturally already suspect you are pulling off a scam to get rid of the debt by claiming fraud, so protecting your partner from implication is only going to make that suspicion heighten. You will then end up getting into trouble with the police yourself if they find out you reported it but protected the criminal - the justice system does not work like that. For example if my partner came into my shop and stole something and I reported it to the police for insurance back on the stuff, but did not tell the police who did it and they later found out, knowing they have a close connection to me, I would get ripped apart firstly by the police and then in court by the prosecution. If she can do all this to you, then I would not put it past her to land you in it with the police when they arrest her.

T-G-C

FalconMatt85 wrote: »

You have any ideas how I can do this? I have changed the email address and passwords so she should never get the details again.

Contact CIFAS and be placed on protective registration for 24 months - for a small fee. You will still be able to obtain credit, but with further checks. Then again with all those accounts maxed out, I would be surprised if you were approved for anything other than Vanquis.

This does not mean she cannot pull another hat out of the bag. If you live together, all it takes is proof of address and an identity document to bypass the extra checks. Both of which she can nab from you, unless you have a safe in the house which she cannot access. Even then, you have to ask yourself, why would you still live with and be in a relationship with someone you have to hide things from to prevent her from committing fraud under your name? Walking on eggshells much...