Where best to post experience & lessons learnt regarding Identity Theft/Fraud? New Sub-forum? 3 August 2020 at 8:24PM in Site feedback 6 replies 103 views

Roger.Wilco

In Jan this year - I was collateral damage when my accountants computer systems were compromised - which resulted in an amount of detailed personal information being sent to random internet email addresses.

At the time - I could not find anyone to assist with dealing with the aftermath.  The accountants were helpful - until their insurance company became involved - so was left to figure things out oneself.  The typical go-to groups like citizen's advice, action fraud, etc... where no help at all.  Financial institutions (except one) were even less helpful.  The most helpful was actually HMRC!  They all assume that the bank accounts were compromised - in my case not - it was information that could be used to _create_ new bank accounts using my personal info.

I've had to undertake a belts-n-braces approach to dealing with this - and the consequences of the original issue and some of my decisions in trying to mitigate the issues have had significant impact including interruption to financial accounts etc..

I came across MSE when I was trying to research what I should do...  I found a very old post by someone who at least recounted his tale of woe a good 8 years ago or so.  There was no advice - just his predicament - but it helped me get a handle on what direction I needed to concentrate.  I've been willing to write up my experience and lessons learnt for the benefit of others.

However, the thing with Identity Theft/Fraud is that is crosses a lot of separate forums on MSE: Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Identification and others, - so where should I post - so it can be found by others that may be in the same situation sometime in the future?

Should MSE have a Identity Theft/Fraud sub-forum?  I realize that wholesale identity theft/fraud it isn't very common - most people may not encounter it.  When talking to citizen's advice, action fraud - they were not prepared to help for complete loss of Identity.  Though, as you would expect it is a significant issue if you are affected.

It will take me a while to write-up the full experience - so if I'm to put the effort in to help some unfortunate person in future - I need to know my effort will be of some use.

MSE Forum staff - any suggestions?

waamo

I think such a thing would be a fair bit of mission creep for a forum like this. This is ostensibly a money saving forum focusing on consumer issues. Such a sub forum would be well outside the purpose of this forum.

In saying that I do get your point. Currently the Praise, Vent and Warnings would seem the most appropriate board.

JJ_Egan

Loads of posts that say Theft Fraud are in reality no such thing at all .

Accountant  usually ( but not always ) means on behalf of a business and this is not a business forum .

pogofish

You were given all the basic guidance/info you need to find the appropriate forum/subforum as part of your signup - which you clearly confirmed as having read and understood.

So I’m puzzled by your needing to ask again here...?

Roger.Wilco

JJ_Egan said:

Loads of posts that say Theft Fraud are in reality no such thing at all .

I understand this...  though, there are a few.  There are some posts/treads that do overlap across the knowledge/advice trajectory of theft/fraud.

Accountant  usually ( but not always ) means on behalf of a business and this is not a business forum .

I'm not a business (just an individual) and I'm not an accountant...  the whole point of at least raising this - was that when I went looking - there is _zero_ info out there.  So my thinking was just to write my experience and what I learnt.  So that if any other unfortunate found themselves in the same position - they would at least have a basic playbook.  I had nothing - and even less once the Accountant's legal/insurance group(s) got involved.  MSE does seem to be the one-stop-shop for anything financial so I thought that it might be a useful to have something here.

Roger.Wilco

waamo said:

I think such a thing would be a fair bit of mission creep for a forum like this. This is ostensibly a money saving forum focusing on consumer issues. Such a sub forum would be well outside the purpose of this forum.

OK appreciate that MSE is suppose to be what it says in the name.  Given the type of posts and treads I've read or engaged - I'd have to say that a great deal don't relate to money or saving...  but understand the sentiment.

In saying that I do get your point. Currently the Praise, Vent and Warnings would seem the most appropriate board.

Thanks for the advice - will go have a look there.

James

Here's a link (very recent) to something that is a MoneySaving tip  for those wishing to take proactive steps to protect their Identity being used for fraudulent gain.

The Solution To Identity Fraud - The AntiSocial Engineer Limited

Hope this refreshes a few minds. 

PS I tried years ago to have a specific topic in the forum -  financial crime.  Preventing or deterring it is a Money Saving practice for all.  Oh well!