Received Card I Didnt Ask For

puppet1984

Hi last time i was in my local garage (shell) i was asked to complete a survey by someone inside. i was asked first for my name and address etc so didnt see anything wrong. however it was then he asked me to sign what was a credit card application form which i naturally refused to do. however now a shell mastercard has arrived through my door.
so the guy has obviously forged my signature.

i would like to know where i stand on this (i'll obviously close the account) but is there anyone i can complain to if they start causing problems or the fact i will now have a credit search undertaken on my name that was not authorised.
thanks

Martinslovechild

I believe that Shell's card is underwritten by Citigroup, so you could complain directly to them and ask for both the card to be cancelled and the entry on your credit report to be removed.

Under the data protection act, you'll be legally entitled to ask for a copy of the application form with your supposed signature; on this basis, you'd have proof that the signature was indeed faked.

If Citigroup won't budge, then you'll need to submit a claim to the Financial Ombudsman whose website is located at http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/.

It'll cost you the price of a couple of stamps, there are no charges for using the Financial Ombudsman.

YorkshireBoy

puppet1984 wrote: »

i was asked first for my name and address etc so didnt see anything wrong.

With all the current publicity on ID theft, and the lengths people go to in shredding mail before putting it in the dustbin, why do people then provide this information so freely to complete strangers?

the guy has obviously forged my signature

Did he also forge your:

Date of birth
Time at address
Time with bank
Time with employer
Employer's name and address
No of dependant children
Etc
Etc

...or did you freely provide this additional information for the "survey"?

is there anyone i can complain to

The proprietor, the franchise holder, Shell, the card provider (whom the agent was acting for), the police.

puppet1984

He asked for my name, date of birth and address. I've asked for the application form to see what he's actually put down for all other fields.
Citigroup wouldn't speak to me at first due to not knowing what the account password was (surprise) however proved security on the above answers and now have a copy of the application form on its way (hopefully)
I'll ignore the sarcasm with which you posted
As i posted asking for help not criticism
Thank you for your helpful post Martin...

YorkshireBoy

puppet1984 wrote: »

I'll ignore the sarcasm with which you posted

What sarcasm?

i was asked first for my name and address etc

Could you give some examples of the questions which fell into the "etc" category?

puppet1984

He asked me for name address and telephone number and date of birth. it was the point he asked for bank details employer i asked what it was. then he asked me to sign and i refused. I didnt give any other information apart from dob address name and number. Nor did i provide proof of I.D. i'm amazed they actually sent me a card.

YorkshireBoy

puppet1984 wrote: »

He asked me for name address and telephone number and date of birth. it was the point he asked for bank details employer i asked what it was. then he asked me to sign and i refused. I didnt give any other information apart from dob address name and number. Nor did i provide proof of I.D. i'm amazed they actually sent me a card.

The card provider must shoulder some (most?) of the responsibility here, because when they process an application they search the files of fraud prevention agencies (in addition to credit reference agencies), where details of your past applications are stored. The details stored include your occupation, salary, etc.

If they searched, and saw discrepancies, then it's irresponsible of them to issue a card without follow up checks with the 'applicant'. If they received a part-completed form back from the agent, then they probably should have suspected coersion/deception on the part of the agent and investigate further.

puppet1984

So now the card is cancelled should i just leave it be once i recieve confirmation of this or should i be taking it further?

YorkshireBoy

puppet1984 wrote: »

So now the card is cancelled should i just leave it be once i recieve confirmation of this or should i be taking it further?

Since you really ought to be checking your credit reports (to be sure they've marked the account as 'settled') over the next month or so, you'll be incurring some costs (at £2 each x 3 = £6).

In your situation, I'd be asking for the search to be removed and my credit report costs to be refunded...and that they investigate the agent's practices. Don't bother with the phone...keep everything in writing, as it'll help should you need to take it further.

puppet1984

ok will do. i'll keep the thread updated.
thanks for your help

Martinslovechild

Some excellent advice there (as always!) from YorkshireBoy.

Oh and...

puppet1984 wrote: »

Thank you for your helpful post Martin...

...my name's not Martin