Someone has rented cars using my identity - advice needed on what I should do

Emanef

Yes, that is correct, everything is in my current address, all changed over when we moved in 2016, and then changed again when we bought and moved in 2017. Nothing goes to my mum's address other than the occasional bit of junk mail.

sourcrates

Emanef wrote: »

The only reason I can think of is my last point above; maybe a dodgy member of staff gives his/her mates free rentals using names from the system and doesn't do all the paperwork properly and no one usually notices, but because they got a parking charge it's come up? I don't know. I kind of hope that would be the reason, as at least then it would mean they used my identity but don't neccessarily have anything else relating to me.

Having said that, I genuinely don't see how anyone can have my ID as I am very careful with it and destoy anything with our names/address on. The only time is if I've had to use ID for something, but that's rare, and the Thrifty rentals were one of the only times I can recall having used any ID for a long time (other than when we bought our house, and I kind of trust our solicitor!)

This is the most likley explanation, the fact you have used the company before suggests this "employee" has kept your details on file for just this kind of purpose, it happens all the time at the bottom end of the motor trade, like when your car is in for repairs, and they keep it a few days longer than nessessary, and use it as a run around.


This person probebley has a nice little side line running here.

Penelopa.Pitstop

Other option is already mentioned earlier: person with similar first and last name and wrong data pulled out from system. Depends of course how common is your name. Mine is foreign and not common in UK or any other country and yet bank called me about other person's account with exactly the same name as mine.

You will have officialy complain to rental company and deny renting car from them in 2019.

It will be much more difficult to resolve issue with parking company and their charges. They won't believe you that you didn't rent the car unless you have proof that you were on holiday or somewhere else at the time. If you were at home/work you may need confirmation from rental company that it was their mistake and you didn't rent a car, which may take ages to get if ever.

Barny1979

Not sure why Thrifty paid the Council PCNs issued, as Hire Companies usually just notify the Local Authority of who was renting the vehicle and pass address details on.

Emanef

Penelopa.Pitstop wrote: »

Other option is already mentioned earlier: person with similar first and last name and wrong data pulled out from system.

But as someone mentioned, you have to get a code from DVLA to rent, so surely that would need to match the driving license and docs given. Mine isn't that common a name.

Penelopa.Pitstop wrote: »

It will be much more difficult to resolve issue with parking company and their charges. They won't believe you that you didn't rent the car unless you have proof that you were on holiday or somewhere else at the time. If you were at home/work you may need confirmation from rental company that it was their mistake and you didn't rent a car, which may take ages to get if ever.

That's not an issue, Thrifty have paid them all......

Barny1979 wrote: »

Not sure why Thrifty paid the Council PCNs issued, as Hire Companies usually just notify the Local Authority of who was renting the vehicle and pass address details on.

.....which suggests Thrifty may have realised there was something wrong so just paid them and assumed it would go away?

phillw

Emanef wrote: »

But as someone mentioned, you have to get a code from DVLA to rent, so surely that would need to match the driving license and docs given. Mine isn't that common a name.

I haven't had to request a code, but could they actually get one for an old driving license? I would have expected DVLA to only issue a code for the current number.

Emanef

Thanks all. I have used Resolver to submit a complaint to Thrifty, and I've also written up a DSAR letter which I'll send off tomorrow.

Penelopa.Pitstop

In theory companies should request the code to check the licence but it doesn't happen every time. To give you example: I had reservation in one company at Gatwick, forgot about the code and they cancelled my reservation at the till. Went to another company and they had no problem with renting car and weren't bothered at all. I think first one was Sixt, second Avis. So the code is not an issue. Don't think I was asked about the code in last few years.

If Thrifty paid all the fines, who are they going to charge for it? Did they charge it to card which was used to rent a car?

Emanef

Hi shiny, happy people.

I've not had a response from Thrifty via the various escalation levels of Resolver so have now submitted a complaint to the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) (the BVRLA advised me to through their website), so that's the stage I am at at the moment.

However, I have another question. I submitted a GDPR SDAR on 3 November and have not had a response. Who do I contact to complaint now as Thrifty have failed to complay with a SDAR request? Is that also the BVRLA?

Thanks

Valli

Emanef wrote: »

However, I have another question. I submitted a GDPR SDAR on 3 November and have not had a response. Who do I contact to complaint now as Thrifty have failed to complay with a SDAR request? Is that also the BVRLA?

Thanks

Information Commisioner's Office (ICO)