Lost Driving License - worried about Identity Fraud

123imp

Hi,

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong category.

I recevied a fixed penalty notice from Police Scotland with regards to a traffic camera in October. I sent off my license and a cheque for £100 which they cashed on the 4th of November. I received no driving license back in the post so called them this week. They told me it was sent on the 8th of November so has likely been lost in the post. They told me the licenses get sent via 2nd class post - no recorded or tracked service - and this is standard practice. They were not bothered at all about the fact it has gone missing and just kept saying that it happens all the time, and is Royal Mails fault. They also said it was my choice to send my license to them when I said they had a duty of care to return it to me - even though the alternative was court and a greater fine. There was also no alternative but to send the license and have it returned in the post, even though I originally wanted to drop it off and then collect it.

I have always been worried about identity fraud and now feel like I'm having a breakdown, I haven't been able to do any work all day and I'm physically sick. I have no idea what to do about it and feel like someone out there likely has my identity now and can do all sorts of things with it. I've always been super careful with my personal information and now total carelessness by others has resulted in my ID going missing.

General_Grant

123imp said:

Hi,

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong category.

I recevied a fixed penalty notice from Police Scotland with regards to a traffic camera in October. I sent off my license and a cheque for £100 which they cashed on the 4th of November. I received no driving license back in the post so called them this week. They told me it was sent on the 8th of November so has likely been lost in the post. They told me the licenses get sent via 2nd class post - no recorded or tracked service - and this is standard practice. They were not bothered at all about the fact it has gone missing and just kept saying that it happens all the time, and is Royal Mails fault. They also said it was my choice to send my license to them when I said they had a duty of care to return it to me - even though the alternative was court and a greater fine. There was also no alternative but to send the license and have it returned in the post, even though I originally wanted to drop it off and then collect it.

I have always been worried about identity fraud and now feel like I'm having a breakdown, I haven't been able to do any work all day and I'm physically sick. I have no idea what to do about it and feel like someone out there likely has my identity now and can do all sorts of things with it. I've always been super careful with my personal information and now total carelessness by others has resulted in my ID going missing.

Not sure why you had to send your licence.  Would have expected the police to be able to cope without having the physical card.  If they needed the card, would it have needed to have points added and therefore not be correct for the future but you should receive a new card?

How many people match your photo?

Barny1979

123imp said:

 I haven't been able to do any work all day and I'm physically sick

There are more important things in this day and age to worry about.

123imp

General_Grant said:

123imp said:

Hi,

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong category.

I recevied a fixed penalty notice from Police Scotland with regards to a traffic camera in October. I sent off my license and a cheque for £100 which they cashed on the 4th of November. I received no driving license back in the post so called them this week. They told me it was sent on the 8th of November so has likely been lost in the post. They told me the licenses get sent via 2nd class post - no recorded or tracked service - and this is standard practice. They were not bothered at all about the fact it has gone missing and just kept saying that it happens all the time, and is Royal Mails fault. They also said it was my choice to send my license to them when I said they had a duty of care to return it to me - even though the alternative was court and a greater fine. There was also no alternative but to send the license and have it returned in the post, even though I originally wanted to drop it off and then collect it.

I have always been worried about identity fraud and now feel like I'm having a breakdown, I haven't been able to do any work all day and I'm physically sick. I have no idea what to do about it and feel like someone out there likely has my identity now and can do all sorts of things with it. I've always been super careful with my personal information and now total carelessness by others has resulted in my ID going missing.

Not sure why you had to send your licence.  Would have expected the police to be able to cope without having the physical card.  If they needed the card, would it have needed to have points added and therefore not be correct for the future but you should receive a new card?

How many people match your photo?

It went to the courts and tribunal service to have points added.

I don't think many people match my photo but I'm under the impression people can apply for all sorts of stuff with your ID.

penners324

Apply for a new licence, keep an eye on your 3 CRA accounts. Any new accounts opened will pop up on there.

Relax

eskbanker

Sign up for CIFAS protective registration, which hinders anyone (including you) from opening new credit accounts in your name:

https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr

123imp

penners324 said:

Apply for a new licence, keep an eye on your 3 CRA accounts. Any new accounts opened will pop up on there.

Relax

Thanks a lot for the advice, I'll keep my eye on credit rating accounts, makes me feel a lot better actually.

123imp

eskbanker said:

Sign up for CIFAS protective registration, which hinders anyone (including you) from opening new credit accounts in your name:

https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr

Thank you for this, I'm going to sign up to the CIFAS service too. Worth the £25 for a little more peace of mind.