Worried about identity theft - how can I prevent my details being used?

lidlfan

I was working at a place where I had previosuly been a client and experienced workplace harassment.

Things got nasty and I put in a complaint, and I'm worried that one of those involved will use my details which are on file (name/address/DOB) to make a credit card or other financial application in my name. I have no doubt one or two would happily sink so low and even alluded to it.

How can I prevent this from happening? How could they do it without getting access to my house for mail?

singhini

Contact the 3 main credit reference agencies and subscribe to their services which will give you instant updates / notifications on who is searching your credit file and also set up passwords with these agencies (so if anyone tries to take out any finance, credit cards, loans etc...…. they can only do so by giving the password).

You can also contact CIFAS and get a notification put on your file (think it costs a few pounds).

Alternative is to set up accounts with people like CreditKarma, Clearscore and MSE for your various reports (for free) and keep an eye on your credit file (however any searches and new accounts will only be updated once a month I think and you don't get instant notifications [I think that's the case with these free sites, hopefully someone can correct me].

Ben8282

singhini wrote: »

Contact the 3 main credit reference agencies and subscribe to their services which will give you instant updates / notifications on who is searching your credit file and also set up passwords with these agencies (so if anyone tries to take out any finance, credit cards, loans etc...…. they can only do so by giving the password).

You can also contact CIFAS and get a notification put on your file (think it costs a few pounds).

Alternative is to set up accounts with people like CreditKarma, Clearscore and MSE for your various reports (for free) and keep an eye on your credit file (however any searches and new accounts will only be updated once a month I think and you don't get instant notifications [I think that's the case with these free sites, hopefully someone can correct me].

All a bit extreme. Check credit reports OK but don't contact the 3 main CRA's and 'subscribe' (i.e. PAY) to their services. But CIFAS … passwords on credit files … way over the top. By the way, we all know about passwords on credit files now from the other thread.
As for the OP's former work colleagues actually doing this, very unlikely. As the OP says, they wouldn't have access to their house for mail either.

OP. Stop worrying and don't follow this over the top advice. I know from your other thread that you have mental health issues and have suffered harassment and bullying at work, but making these applications would be a CRIMINAL act on their part. Would they really risk prison to do this? Besides, I doubt that they know ALL the necessary information to successfully make the applications and, considering that I understand that you live on benefits, the applications probably would not be very successful. Even if somehow an application was successful, how would they get the money, credit card or whatever as they have no access to your home or post. Furthermore, what would be the point of it? I am actually curious as to why these individuals have chosen this particular form of harassment. It is actually quite an unusual thing to threaten to do - make credit applications in somebody's name - and I was wondering if there was any specific reason why they have chosen this specific form of bullying?
I really do believe that it is an empty threat designed to worry and annoy you. Don't let these idiots cause you worry.

boo_star

Ben8282 wrote: »

All a bit extreme. Check credit reports OK but don't contact the 3 main CRA's and 'subscribe' (i.e. PAY) to their services. But CIFAS … passwords on credit files … way over the top. By the way, we all know about passwords on credit files now from the other thread.
As for the OP's former work colleagues actually doing this, very unlikely. As the OP says, they wouldn't have access to their house for mail either.

OP. Stop worrying and don't follow this over the top advice. I know from your other thread that you have mental health issues and have suffered harassment and bullying at work, but making these applications would be a CRIMINAL act on their part. Would they really risk prison to do this? Besides, I doubt that they know ALL the necessary information to successfully make the applications and, considering that I understand that you live on benefits, the applications probably would not be very successful. Even if somehow an application was successful, how would they get the money, credit card or whatever as they have no access to your home or post. Furthermore, what would be the point of it? I am actually curious as to why these individuals have chosen this particular form of harassment. It is actually quite an unusual thing to threaten to do - make credit applications in somebody's name - and I was wondering if there was any specific reason why they have chosen this specific form of bullying?
I really do believe that it is an empty threat designed to worry and annoy you. Don't let these idiots cause you worry.

Agree completely.

Ask yourself this question. Why would they do it?

Being vindictive is fair enough, but committing a criminal offence to get one over on you is quite another.

Just move on and get this ****show behind you.

singhini

Ben8282 wrote: »

All a bit extreme. Check credit reports OK but don't contact the 3 main CRA's and 'subscribe' (i.e. PAY) to their services. But CIFAS … passwords on credit files … way over the top. By the way, we all know about passwords on credit files now from the other thread.
As for the OP's former work colleagues actually doing this, very unlikely. As the OP says, they wouldn't have access to their house for mail either.

OP. Stop worrying and don't follow this over the top advice. I know from your other thread that you have mental health issues and have suffered harassment and bullying at work, but making these applications would be a CRIMINAL act on their part. Would they really risk prison to do this? Besides, I doubt that they know ALL the necessary information to successfully make the applications and, considering that I understand that you live on benefits, the applications probably would not be very successful. Even if somehow an application was successful, how would they get the money, credit card or whatever as they have no access to your home or post. Furthermore, what would be the point of it? I am actually curious as to why these individuals have chosen this particular form of harassment. It is actually quite an unusual thing to threaten to do - make credit applications in somebody's name - and I was wondering if there was any specific reason why they have chosen this specific form of bullying?
I really do believe that it is an empty threat designed to worry and annoy you. Don't let these idiots cause you worry.

Hi Ben8282

I've not familiar with the bit about another thread and passwords, can you please explain.