Multiple bank cards have arrived at a previous address, none of which I ordered.

RobS1980

Hello. Three prepaid bank cards have been sent to an address I lived at 2 years ago. They have my full name on them. They are from Starling, Pockit, and TransferWise (now called just Wise). I have never used any of these companies. Another card was sent out last year I think, but I can't remember from who. 

Should I be worried about this? There is nothing on my credit file, not even searches for ID checks. Starling has a very scrupulous ID check involving making a video of yourself so I have no idea how whoever did this got around that. 

Any advice or info would be appreciated. 

mab3000

I would start by contacting each of the three companies, if it were me I would be starting with Starling, as that is a current account rather than a prepaid card. 

RobS1980

mab3000 said:

I would start by contacting each of the three companies, if it were me I would be starting with Starling, as that is a current account rather than a prepaid card. 

I've contacted them. Starling were the most helpful but seemed surprised that someone could get around their security. Pockit only have an email address and TransferWise were useless. 

Sea_Shell

Do you know the person(s) who lives at your old address?  How was the mail redirected?  How did you find out about it?

colsten

Somebody obviously knows enough of your personal information to be able to open accounts in your name. Pockit is a prepaid card, Wise is a currency transfer card (international), and Starling is a proper bank current account. You must contact all of them and get these accounts closed urgently, as somebody might use them for fraudulent purposes (setting these accounts up was already fraudulent). If these companies will not cooperate, contact the FOS on 0800 023 4567.

You could also report the issue to ActionFraud, though they are most unlikely to actively pursue the matter. However, they need to know that this is going on.

You should also check ***ALL*** your credit reference files as the fraudsters might have set up / might still set up other accounts in your name. The three companies you know of don't perform hard searches, so may not have left an imprint on your credit files.

Lastly, consider a protective CIFAS registration, to stop the fraudster from opening other accounts. It won't be entirely foolproof as not all companies check CIFAS but all banks do and also some others, such as mobile phone companies.

Brie

I would also contact the financial organisations that you do deal with and advise them that you suspect fraud.  Ask that they do nothing about it for now but ensure that they record your concerns.  That way should something happen on your real accounts the banks can't say they weren't aware.  

Keep records of the date/times/person's name for every contact, preferably getting an acknowledgement from them in writing (secure messaging?).  And check all your accounts carefully for anything odd, those £1 payments being made etc.

RobS1980

Sea_Shell said:

Do you know the person(s) who lives at your old address?  How was the mail redirected?  How did you find out about it?

Yes I still know the landlord.

colsten said:

Somebody obviously knows enough of your personal information to be able to open accounts in your name. Pockit is a prepaid card, Wise is a currency transfer card (international), and Starling is a proper bank current account. You must contact all of them and get these accounts closed urgently, as somebody might use them for fraudulent purposes (setting these accounts up was already fraudulent). If these companies will not cooperate, contact the FOS on 0800 023 4567.

You could also report the issue to ActionFraud, though they are most unlikely to actively pursue the matter. However, they need to know that this is going on.

You should also check ***ALL*** your credit reference files as the fraudsters might have set up / might still set up other accounts in your name. The three companies you know of don't perform hard searches, so may not have left an imprint on your credit files.

Lastly, consider a protective CIFAS registration, to stop the fraudster from opening other accounts. It won't be entirely foolproof as not all companies check CIFAS but all banks do and also some others, such as mobile phone companies.

Thanks for the advice. I've contacted the three companies and changed a load of online passwords. I'll keep an eye on things.