Vendor impersonated me.... help!

Cosmocraving

Hi,
Hoping this is the right place to post this! I normally lurk but wanted to ask people’s advice as I am dumbfounded on what has been uncovered today relating to a purchase of a house I am buying.

Two days ago my conveyancing company updated my online case with ‘call from client’ detailing that ‘I’ had called wanting an update and to discuss my case.

I saw this message later in the day and immediately sent a message saying I had not called. I then called the conveyancer and was told that someone using my name had called them and answered the security questions (line of the address, property price). I explained that this was not me and I was alarmed that this had happened. We suspected the estate agent but agreed to additional questions to be asked.

This morning whilst in a meeting I receive another message stating ‘Call from client’ asking to speak directly to the director about my case and stating that they were going to ring back in 20mins to speak to him. I again quickly messaged stating this was not me. I rang my conveyancing company again and requested to speak to someone senior as someone was impersonating me.

Following an investigation by my conveyancer we now believe that it was indeed the vendor for the property I am buying. I now have 3 voice recordings where she clearly states I’m <my name> and states that she doesn’t know what is taking so long trying to encourage exchange, asks what the outstanding issues are and when some of this is discussed states that it isn’t a problem ‘my sister lives nearby and I therefore know that this isn’t a problem’ She is referring to my sister who does live near the house.

I am in shock and not really sure what to do now. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

HampshireH

They should have better data protection set up than that.

Ask that they ask a set of security questions so only you know the answers.

letitbe90

I have a thick skin for a lot of things but that would be enough to make me call the whole thing off.

AnotherJoe

Police. Seriously, call them. And pull out.
And, put an official complaint in to the conveyancer and complain to the ICO.

These are pathetic "security" questions. How will they prevent this reoccuring?
next house, use a different one and demand your money back.

getmore4less

Knock £10k off

jonnygee2

Sounds like fraud to me. I think I'd report it to the police?

waamo

I wouldn't walk away. I would run.

happyandcontented

I would be livid. The vendor could have asked any details relating to income details or other sensitive information, couched in the right way they would have told her anything thinking she was you.

I would also be very tempted to call the sale off.

I would certainly be making a formal complaint.

Marvel1

I would now be looking elsewhere and string her along.

I don't blame them, I blame her as she knows what she is doing!

happyandcontented

Marvel1 wrote: »

I would now be looking elsewhere and string her along.

Yes, I think so too, then, when you have found somewhere else tell her why.

Albala

Sounds like it would be illegal to me- impersonating anther person in a legal process to your own advantage- surely it must be illegal? What does your conveyancer advise?



We always use local solicitors for conveyancing so that we can go straight to a partner for legal advice if anything gets nasty. This is nasty.


The security questions are ridiculous- exactly the things anyone with an interest into conning their way into a process would be guaranteed to know.