Direct Debit Security / Fraud Advice

Samwell94

eddddy said:

Samwell94 said:

And without wanting to sound obtuse, somebody who knows me will know my career, income and a pretty solid idea of my credit rating, and would know they could get away with a lot more money.

It doesn't sound like the motive is to steal your money. (Setting up a home insurance policy and changing utility providers won't achieve that.)

It sounds more like pranksters - who might be inconveniencing you for their own amusement.  Or somebody you've upset, who is taking revenge on you.

On that basis, I doubt it's based on anything sophisticated like malware or viruses on your computer. Do live in a block of flats with a shared post box? Have any bank statements etc gone missing in the post? Do you pay anyone by cheque?

I do live in a block of flats, but the post boxes are individual and "secure" (as secure as a shared environment can be I suppose)

I completely understand where you're coming from.

it wouldn't make sense to me why they would be doing it at my old address though, as if they truly wanted to mess with me (and lived in this building) they could actually change my providers just as easily.

Also worth noting that I haven't had paper statements for many years - and have never had a cheque book. I'm also with a bank that doesn't print the account number and sort code on their cards.

Regardless of whether it's malicious or not, neither me or the Bank can determine where they could have obtained the new of information.

A few other tidbits of information that might be of interest:
One of the energy bills wasn't set up at my name or address, I was just paying someone else's bill - unfortunately neither the bank or energy company would investigate any further or give any further details. (Maybe I need to chase this further, but data protection is against me at this point).

The phone contract, nothing ever turned up at the old address for this - perhaps their post is being messed with?
I think I need to get back onto that company to understand what they sent out, and when it should have arrived.

Worried_of_wakefield

Hi, last year I took out house insurance with Policy Expert, I ensured auto renewal wasn't ticked. This year, (by phone) after some negotiation on price I agreed to renew. At payment I was asked if previous card detail could be used, I agreed. Later I  realised that a no time even the 3 digit security reference was not asked for. Is this normal can these company's retain full card details for later use?

Worried_of_wakefield

Apologies, my post should have been a new thread

robatwork

Where are you on the Electoral Roll?

Samwell94

robatwork said:

Where are you on the Electoral Roll?

At my current address, haven't been on the electoral roll at the old address for about 5 years.

quirkydeptless

Possibly there is mail of yours still going to your old address that is giving the occupants information to commit the identity theft.

Have you checked all your accounts/bill payees to confirm they have the correct contact details, especially the address?

born_again

Samwell94 said:

Your thought had definitely crossed my mind, but I can say with certainty that nobody close to me has access to my new Bank Details - I simply won't give them to anybody anymore for this very reason, so I would find it difficult to believe that anybody close with a grievance could obtain this information.
I have even reviewed access logs to online banking with my bank and can confirm no other devices other than my phone have logged in on the last 12 months. Nobody else has physical access to my phone.

My only other suspicion is that a company has an active data leak that has allowed somebody to have access to my details again so easily. 

I'm hoping to find others experiencing the same thing.

I am open to hearing theories, and I appreciate the time taken to reply.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this.

You are aware that your account details are on your debit card & a cheque book if you got one.

Given you live in a block of flats, did any of the post look like it had been tampered with?

Get you bank to put a block on any new DD's being set up until you have confirmed them. Also you need a Cifas marker placing, due to ID fraud.
But my money is on someone you have upset, as there is no real gain. Even if they were paying their own bills. As it's all in your name and address.
Maybe time to move.

General_Grant

born_again said:

Samwell94 said:

Your thought had definitely crossed my mind, but I can say with certainty that nobody close to me has access to my new Bank Details - I simply won't give them to anybody anymore for this very reason, so I would find it difficult to believe that anybody close with a grievance could obtain this information.
I have even reviewed access logs to online banking with my bank and can confirm no other devices other than my phone have logged in on the last 12 months. Nobody else has physical access to my phone.

My only other suspicion is that a company has an active data leak that has allowed somebody to have access to my details again so easily. 

I'm hoping to find others experiencing the same thing.

I am open to hearing theories, and I appreciate the time taken to reply.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this.

You are aware that your account details are on your debit card & a cheque book if you got one.

Given you live in a block of flats, did any of the post look like it had been tampered with?

Get you bank to put a block on any new DD's being set up until you have confirmed them. Also you need a Cifas marker placing, due to ID fraud.
But my money is on someone you have upset, as there is no real gain. Even if they were paying their own bills. As it's all in your name and address.
Maybe time to move.

The OP is actually aware that the account details are NOT on the debit card.  Not all banks print the account number on the card - certainly RBS and NatWest do not.

Murmansk

There was an item on Direct Debit fraud on Moneybox on Radio 4 at noon, might be of interest, repeated Sunday 9pm

Samwell94

born_again said:

Samwell94 said:

Your thought had definitely crossed my mind, but I can say with certainty that nobody close to me has access to my new Bank Details - I simply won't give them to anybody anymore for this very reason, so I would find it difficult to believe that anybody close with a grievance could obtain this information.
I have even reviewed access logs to online banking with my bank and can confirm no other devices other than my phone have logged in on the last 12 months. Nobody else has physical access to my phone.

My only other suspicion is that a company has an active data leak that has allowed somebody to have access to my details again so easily. 

I'm hoping to find others experiencing the same thing.

I am open to hearing theories, and I appreciate the time taken to reply.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this.

You are aware that your account details are on your debit card & a cheque book if you got one.

Given you live in a block of flats, did any of the post look like it had been tampered with?

Get you bank to put a block on any new DD's being set up until you have confirmed them. Also you need a Cifas marker placing, due to ID fraud.
But my money is on someone you have upset, as there is no real gain. Even if they were paying their own bills. As it's all in your name and address.
Maybe time to move.

My bank do not have a way of blocking DD or verifying them before they come through - not sure if this is standard practice,

CIFAS has two flaws:
It is opt-in, it requires the companies to have signed up to it so isn't a guaranteed approach
It doesn't block DD, but it does block credit checks