Advice/Help - Someone has used my bank A/C and Sort Code to purchase/open direct debit with Argos!!

stylus360

Hi All

I had an email from Credit Karma stating i had  'Hard Search' on my account, when i logged in i could see two of them, they did not make sense to me/did not recognise them and when i searched the 'details' it threw up a company and a few mentioned Argos.

One was dated the 21/06/22, the other 23/06/22.

I then went to raise a dispute with Transunion (or whoever Credit Karma redirects you two) and it asks me some questions that i knew i might fail as it was asking about accounts from years ago, limits, overdrafts etc and i simply could not recall them.....

Today i have had 2 letters from Argos stating that i have opened a Credit Agreement/monthly plan with them and a direct debit has been set up for £28.02 a month, it also states my Santander A/c No. and sort code!

I have just rang Argos and they stated that 2 applications went in under my a/c no and sort code, one was a purchase on 21/06/22 for £949 and was accepted, another on 23/06/22 which was declined.

All Argos have told me is that i need to cancel the DD asap which i have done with Santander, i am currently on hold (56 minutes!!!!!!!) to the Fraud Team.

How has somebody accessed my details? I have had the same account for over 12 years or more and never had one problem, never had a problem with ANY account or fraud in my life tbh and have i have accounts with all main banks.....

I am scared that they will prompt me to close the account as my a/c no. and sort code are out there somewhere BUT i have loads of linked accounts to it, plus businesses and individuals who pay into it!!

Anyone advise on my next steps as i'm concerned about my credit score plus what's stopping someone continuously opening new accounts/credit in my name.

Thanks

PRAISETHESUN

Yes, it sounds like someone has your personal details and is using them for identity theft. Keep an eye on your credit reports from all 3 CRAs - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion - for any new (fraudulent) applications over the next several months. You can also consider a protective registration with CIFAS (https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr). This will slow down all credit applications by forcing lenders to undertake additional checks - it'll slow down legitimate applications, but also stop fraudulent ones. It's also worth reporting this to Action Fraud.

You can cancel the DD yourself via online banking, but it'd be worth letting Santander know about it anyway in order to make sure they are aware of the possibility of additional fraud occurring on your account, and they can take steps to help protect you further.

grumbler

stylus360 said:

... it also states my Santander A/c No. and sort code!
...

I am scared that they will prompt me to close the account as my a/c no. and sort code are out there somewhere BUT i have loads of linked accounts to it, plus businesses and individuals who pay into it!!

Your bank account number and sort code aren't a top secret and never were. They are printed on all cheques that are supposed to be given to absolutely random people and companies.

xylophone

As above, anybody who has ever seen one of your cheques/anybody whom you've asked to make an online payment to your account/anybody who works for a company that makes online payments to your account /will have these details.

stylus360

Thanks, i keep on failing the TransUnion checks to report it, Santander have just stated to keep an eye on the account.

When i mentioned Transunion to the Fraud Team the lady stated she uses Clearscore..lol

PRAISETHESUN I will sign up to that, Santander never mentioned it!

They also stated that the searches, there are 3 on each date, 2 soft and one hard on each day, will be removed automatically?

Cheers

stylus360

I managed to log into Transunion and have raised Disputes on all 6 searches, the reason ' didn't authorise this search'.

Each day had this-
1. Affordability21 Jun 2022
2. Quotation/Preliminary Search21 Jun 2022
3. Checking Credit Application21 Jun 2022

4. Quotation/Preliminary Search23 Jun 2022
5. Quotation/Preliminary Search23 Jun 2022
6. Checking Credit Application23 Jun 2022

Obviously i have left out a lot of detail regarding each search as it contains sensitive info, i have just give the search type and date.

I guess i just sit back and wait now?

I am very shocked that Argos have not back to me! Plus Santander did not seem interested or even heard of Transunion!!

Do i need to do anything else? I am weary of applying extra checks atm through CIFAS i sometimes i need to raise cash/funds quickly.....(Its only £20 for 2 years).

Lmk if i have missed anything as it seems i need to answer a set of questions each time going back to 2007 to gain access!

Thanks

[Deleted User]

stylus360 said:

 

I am weary of applying extra checks atm through CIFAS 

Why does it make you so tired? You only need to do it once!

stylus360

@Deleted_User

It was mentioned above that if I needed to borrow in future it would slow the process down if I signed up to it. 

This could be a massive problem when I need to source a lot of funds instantly ad I do with the nature of my business. 

It could negate the point of joining hence I’m some what reluctant then. 

But I think I stated that above and again now 

[Deleted User]

No, I get that. I was just questioning why it would make you so weary. Perhaps you meant wary.

You'll need to weigh up the issue of dealing with unauthorised applications versus the need for fast credit. Is there another way you can structure the business to reduce the reliance on getting credit quickly?

Additionally - have you checked all three CRAs (not just Transunion)?

p00hsticks

stylus360 said:

Today i have had 2 letters from Argos stating that i have opened a Credit Agreement/monthly plan with them and a direct debit has been set up for £28.02 a month, it also states my Santander A/c No. and sort code!

As people have told you, your bank account and sort code aren't secret and a lot of people/organisations get to know them pver the year.

But have you realised that, in writing to you, Argos have also demonstrated that they know not just your bank account number and sort code but also your correct name and address, which means you're probably looking at a more widespread ID theft of a number of your personal details rather than just your bank account number and sort code.

RG2015

stylus360 said:

Thanks, i keep on failing the TransUnion checks to report it, Santander have just stated to keep an eye on the account.

When i mentioned Transunion to the Fraud Team the lady stated she uses Clearscore..lol

PRAISETHESUN I will sign up to that, Santander never mentioned it!

They also stated that the searches, there are 3 on each date, 2 soft and one hard on each day, will be removed automatically?

Cheers

All of the TransUnion checks with the correct answers should be visible on your free credit report from Credit Karma.

Hopefully the same data will be visible on Clearscore (for Equifax data) and Experian (full report available free on MSE Credit Club).