Ex using my address to obtain a new phone contract

papps44

My ex left 6 months or so ago. But very recently I discovered this person used my address to obtain a new phone contract. They are on the electoral roll for the address. Obviously to pass a credit check they must have done this. However I am unhappy that they used my address when they should not have. Could this be a breach of contract if the phone provider was informed of this information? Could this have a negative effect on their future credit score. Or is this a dumb thing to do? 

JSmithy45AD

Removing them from the electoral roll for your address should be the first thing that you do. The rest of your post just seems spiteful and they would not talk to you anyway as it's not your account. And debt letters that turn up in their name you return unopened (as it's illegal for you to open them) marked either with their new address or unknown at this address.

Neil_Jones

Actually...

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/26/part/V/crossheading/offences-of-interfering-with-the-mail - "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.  ... summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both"

But on the other hand it will be argued the police probably have better things to do than investigate the hideous crime of "somebody opens somebody else's mail"!

papps44

What are you implying? 

saajan_12

papps44 said:

My ex left 6 months or so ago. But very recently I discovered this person used my address to obtain a new phone contract. They are on the electoral roll for the address. Obviously to pass a credit check they must have done this. However I am unhappy that they used my address when they should not have.
Could this be a breach of contract if the phone provider was informed of this information? Could this have a negative effect on their future credit score. Or is this a dumb thing to do? 

The material parts of the contract are for ex to pay £X a month and phone company to provide services, which is still possible, and a minor term breach doesn't always invalidate an entire contract. What they phone co based their decision on is secondary, and based on a lot more than just an address. They might have a clause in their T&Cs giving them the right to terminate, but
a) only if the overall credit quality was materially different - the same credit history but a recent address change wouldn't preclude most people from getting a phone contract
b) If ex is paying the phone bill on time and in full, the phone co may not bother changing things now 
c) only if the phone co even talk to you, given the GDPR hurdles

Re credit score, the main relevant points are that could potentially affect are
- payment history (fine if ex keeps paying the monthly bill on time)
- not denied credit (doubt a phone contract is considered credit, this would be more about credit cards and overdrafts)
- address history (people are allowed to move house, as long as ex is on the electoral roll somewhere and not moving every other day, probably fine)

JSmithy45AD

papps44 said:

What are you implying? 

Who? It helps if you quote someone or tag their name in.