Direct Debits set up on my Bank Account

JamesC3

Hi,

I moved house this year. Previously we were renting a property and paid rent privately. I have my post re-directed from my old address set up for a year, so 6-7 months still left on that.

In the last 4-5 days I have received a Mobile Phone Sim Card through the post and also a Pet Insurance policy. They both were redirected from my old address.

The Pet Insurance policy came with several documents, one being a bank DD Sheet, which listed my bank account and sort code. It also states that the pet insured is a dog, named Ne****.

 I logged in to my banking app today (Sunday) and found out that two new direct debits have been set up on my account. One for BT and one for Pinnacle Insurance (Post Office).

Both have nothing to do with me. I already have a phone contract with another company and do not have any pets.

I don't want to jump conclusions, but.......The lady who we rented our property from would have had my bank details on the forms that I sent and when she refunded our deposit when we left her property. She had a brother called S***n, who came to check the property before we vacated it.

On the BT Sim card I received, it has the name of S***n D*** on it. This may be a big co-incidence, would someone be stupid enough to put their name on something? I don't know. The surname is different to his sisters, who we rented the property from, but I don't know if she had ever married.

I spoke to my bank who have cancelled the direct debits. However, if they've done this twice, then surely it'll only be a matter of time before they set something else up. This is a complete pain. I've also created a report on the Action Fraud website.

From searching the threads here and doing a google search, the best solution I can see is to completely new bank account up, but wouldn't this affect my credit report adversely?

Please let me have any advice you can provide. Kind reagrds, Jess

sourcrates

Sounds like the brother fancied a dabble at identity theft.

Yes i would close down that account, just to be certain, open another account, its easy to do, and there is no limit on how many bank accounts you can or can`t open, a current account requires a credit check, which will leave a search marker, which is a normal procedure, and will only become a problem if you apply for numerous credit products in a short space of time, as it makes you appear desperate.

Your "score" however, may go up or down, depending on the state of the tide, it reacts to change of any kind, but its fine as no one see`s it but you, and its not used in lending decisions, so no worries on that score...lol.

JamesC3

Thanks very much for your response sourcrates.

Just to be certain, with the new account, would you suggest a different bank as well?

TimSynths

JamesC3 said:

Thanks very much for your response sourcrates.

Just to be certain, with the new account, would you suggest a different bank as well?

Stick with the same bank- keep things simple but make them aware why you are opening and closing an account- they may have some useful advice. 

sourcrates

JamesC3 said:

Thanks very much for your response sourcrates.

Just to be certain, with the new account, would you suggest a different bank as well?

Its entirely up to you, but don`t use a switching service, open it as a new account, not a transfer.

[Deleted User]

Do make sure you alert the phone company and pet insurers about the fraud and make it clear to the bank these MUST be cancelled. Report to action fraud as well, cover your bases

joho

You can also sign up to one of the credit reference agencies and put a note on your file that extra security is needed if anyone tries to obtain a credit card or open other accounts using your details.

Incidentally, you should not open letters that are not addressed to you by name and you must send them back to the sender. I had this problem when I was the victim of id fraud a few years ago and kept getting vehicle insurance letters.

Good job you are on top of it quickly.

penners324

Most banks let you cancel DDs in their app, no need for a phone call. Some also send a notification when a new DD is set up.