Lantern Debt Collectors/Moriarty Law

sourcrates

Gardenshed2025 said:

Financial Ombudsman came back to tell me that I hadn’t complained directly to Lantern so they sent a complaint on my behalf. 

I think I am still waiting for Lantern’s response. 

At the same time I requested all data that Lantern held on me which I think was as a result of my complaint to Moriaty Law ( who referred my case back to Lantern) so today I have received all the data Lantern hold on me.
From the information, it is definitely a case of identity fraud and the details they have for me is incorrect. 

Can you advise what I should do next? Should I wait for Lantern to answer the complaint sent on my behalf by the Financial Ombudsman?
Or should I write to Lantern telling them that my details have been used fraudulently and I am not liable for the debt?

Wait and see how Lantern respond, the FOS has written to them, so they will get back to you.

Gardenshed2025

There is good news. Lantern has replied to the complaint letter sent on my behalf by the Financial Ombudsman and ‘as a gesture of goodwill’ they have decided to cancel the debt. To say I am very pleased is an understatement although I do resent the ‘as a gesture of goodwill’ phase as it wasn’t my debt in the first place. I will be writing to the Financial Ombudsman to thank them as I do not believe anything would have happened without their involvement. 

It still concerns me that a credit account could be so easily opened with my details using a bogus email and phone number and how I can protect myself from this identity fraud in the future.
Many thanks to all the helpful comments on here.

sourcrates

Great news, and a good result, they likely knew they were on dangerous ground with this one.

ManyWays

Should I wait for Lantern to answer the complaint sent on my behalf by the Financial Ombudsman?
Or should I write to Lantern telling them that my details have been used fraudulently and I am not liable for the debt?
Who did you complain to, JD Williams? or Moriarty Law? and are Moriarty Law acting on behalf of JD Williams or Lantern?

jackjones01

ManyWays said:

Should I wait for Lantern to answer the complaint sent on my behalf by the Financial Ombudsman?
Or should I write to Lantern telling them that my details have been used fraudulently and I am not liable for the debt?
Who did you complain to, JD Williams? or Moriarty Law? and are Moriarty Law acting on behalf of JD Williams or Lantern?

I would complaint to JD Williams in the 1st instance, you might want to ask them what personal data they hold about you. 

Gardenshed2025

@Many ways. I complained to Moriarty Law but they didn’t seem to acknowledge my complaint so I ask for all the personal data they had on me. They then referred it back to Lantern. At the same time I wrote to the FO as I felt that my complaint was being ignored. They said I needed to write to Lantern and complain to them directly which they did on my behalf which I personally think made Lantern sit up and pay attention. I could now go on to complain to J D Williams but I am just happy to be off the hook. 

I will be writing to FO to thank them and I will suggest that they might look into JD Williams regarding their due diligence when opening credit accounts. Hope this is helpful.

sourcrates

Gardenshed2025 said:

They said I needed to write to Lantern and complain to them directly which they did on my behalf which I personally think made Lantern sit up and pay attention. 

Yes it would, as Lantern used to be known as 1st Credit, a few years back they were hauled over the coals for bad business practices, not treating customers fairly, and a whole raft of other charges.

This resulted in a very large fine, a root and branch restructuring program, including new management and re-training of staff, and also a change of name.

Its only recently the FCA have taken them off their "watch list" and allowed them to operate fully under licence again.