Rogue trader using my home address?

kasqueak

Sorry if this is the wrong area to post!

I’ve got a problem where a random sole trader plumber is using my home address on their website, yellow pages, fb and also it appears on google maps. Company is not on companies house. 

They have no links to this address in anyway shape or form (ie not a previous owner) so they seem to have just plucked my address out of the air and added it to their website. 

They are trading and I’ve called the mobile phone number several times asking why they have my address and they just hang up on me. 

I’ve contacted google, fb and Yell to no avail. They don’t seem to want to remove it as the plumbers website states my address. Also as I’m not the person named on the business they won’t talk to me - Even though it’s my house and this company have nothing to do with my address and no right to use it!

I’m worried some disgruntled customer will turn up on my doorstep when it’s nothing to do with me. 

Like to add - haven’t received any post in the mail for them. This is just online they are using my address and have done since Dec 2020. 

Any advice on what I can do? 

MalMonroe

Hi, they are committing fraud and the government website in this link tells you what to do -

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-a-company-using-your-personal-details-without-your-permission

- there is obviously some advice that doesn't apply but contacting Action Fraud in the first instance is a good idea. As is contacting Citizens Advice.

The following CA link is for England but you can easily change it if necessary -

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

You could also try the police to see if you can get anywhere with them but from what I can gather after seeing similar posts on this site, they don't seem to be very interested in online fraud. You can still try, though. 

ItsComingRome

MalMonroe said:

Hi, they are committing fraud and the government website in this link tells you what to do -

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-a-company-using-your-personal-details-without-your-permission

- there is obviously some advice that doesn't apply but contacting Action Fraud in the first instance is a good idea. As is contacting Citizens Advice.

The following CA link is for England but you can easily change it if necessary -

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

You could also try the police to see if you can get anywhere with them but from what I can gather after seeing similar posts on this site, they don't seem to be very interested in online fraud. You can still try, though. 

None of that applies, not just some of it. The OP specifically said the company is not registered with Companies House.

Action Fraud won't do anything but file it away with the millions of other fraud reports.

oscarward

The worry is if they are using your address to hide their real address, so when a disgruntled customer takes court action the bailiffs knock on your door.

user1977

oscarward said:

The worry is if they are using your address to hide their real address, so when a disgruntled customer takes court action the bailiffs knock on your door.

Bailiffs are pretty used to dealing with out of date or fake addresses, it's not really that much of a concern (especially if the OP apparently hasn't actually had anybody even try to contact them via the address).

I can't see the OP has any particular rights to do anything about it, other than report it as potential fraud.

kasqueak

Thanks for the replies everyone. 

It does seem difficult when they’re not on companies house. They just seem to be a sole trader. 

Some people tell me not to worry about it but it’s a concern when it’s your home address and someone is using it bogusly. 

I haven’t had any post for the company, they just seem to be using my home address as their trading address online. 

You’d think as a homeowner you’d have the right to get these things corrected - but apparently not!

gettingtheresometime

Are they on any review sites? I'd be tempted to leave a post asking them not to use my address!

Mojisola

And see if a local radio station or newspaper is interested in the story..

ItsComingRome

kasqueak said:

Thanks for the replies everyone. 

It does seem difficult when they’re not on companies house. They just seem to be a sole trader. 

Some people tell me not to worry about it but it’s a concern when it’s your home address and someone is using it bogusly. 

I haven’t had any post for the company, they just seem to be using my home address as their trading address online. 

You’d think as a homeowner you’d have the right to get these things corrected - but apparently not!

You're worrying over nothing, and by your own admission nothing has happened anyway.

If something happens you can deal with it then.

Al_Ross

They have given a false address to avoid being caught up by checks by the Inland Revenue, they are obviously a dishonest outfit.