ID theft and declining credit score

cleverinvest

Hello All
I have some dodgy new neighbours that I strongly suspect steal my post. They have applied for a number of credit cards and bank accounts all at the same time using my details. I have had a few calls from some credit card companies they have used after suspecting that it was not me who applied for these services. I don’t know how many they have applied for but I saw my credit score has gone down due to frequent application. I have not applied for anything for over a year. Credit card companies don’t seem to have any advice for me and they just say they will report it to the relevant agencies. I am at a loss as to whom I should inform to protect myself and how to fix my credit ratings. I will need to apply for a mortgage at some point soon and I would be devastated if my excellent rating is affected by some fraudsters I know, but can’t prove, stole my identity. Any advice is much appreciated. 

The_Unready

I'd start by informing the police if you suspect fraudulent activity by your neighbours!

How do you think they are able to steal your post, and what have you done about it?

BdetteNoDebt

How can your neighbours steal your post?  Do you live in a communal block?  

I think you should alert the police and Royal Mail. You can have your post held at the delivery office and collect it from there once a week. 

cleverinvest

Yes we are 3 flats in one building. I have made provisions for the mail to be removed as soon as it arrived but they already have my details and will keep trying. Quite scary actually 

penners324

CIFAS protection is what you need. 

cleverinvest

I thought I needed CIFAS too. Thanks for confirming.  Hopefully there is a way to reverse the damage to my credit score 

MorningcoffeeIV

It doesn't matter what your credit score is - it's not a real thing.

What you want to happen is for any fraudulent accounts, searches or data to be removed from your files. It won't matter if your credit score remains in the gutter afterwards.

cleverinvest

Thanks morningcoffeeIV. I agree but not sure how I can have those removed from
my files. 

MorningcoffeeIV

You report them as fraudulent.

HampshireH

Your credit report should show what accounts are in your name. Read through and check none you weren't expecting 

TheBanker

The lenders who completed the searches should remove them if you report them as fraudulent. They should not have completed the searches as they did not have your authorisation. It's not their fault really if someone tried to defraud them, but once they know what's happened they still need to put it right.