Identity Theft affecting Credit Score

Hello

I signed up for my Clear Score Credit Report a month ago - and was gutted to discover there are 2 Payday loans (one with Wageday Advance, and one with 247 Moneybox) and a bank account with an overdraft (which has been emptied) with Cash Plus. All these accounts were set up within a few days of each other, and using an old address that I hadn't lived at for over a year.

I obviously reported this to the companies above, and completed an Action Fraud Report for each to get a crime reference number.

I got an email from 247 Moneybox only a day or two later saying they have investigated it, closed the account and instructed Clear Score to amend my Credit Report. The other two companies told me that I won't hear from them, but rest assured they are working on it - and on my next credit report these accounts will be removed.

I got my new report on Friday last week, and all three accounts are still showing on my report - and my credit score has gone down by 16 points as I have missed repayments etc on these accounts!

247 Moneybox told that they have told Clear Score to amend my report, and that I should follow it up with them - which I will. Cash Plus said they're still investigating it.

However, Wageday Advance have told me that I never reported it to them, and so the account hasn't been reported as fraudulent and that it is still active. I'm absolutely disgusted by this, as they were actually the first company I phoned the day I found out about these payday loans, and had phoned them back since to find out what is going on and they told me it's with their fraud investigation team. So now, to be told that nothing has been done at all is a disgrace. Is there anything I can do about this? They allowed somebody to take out a loan in my name, using an old address (so clearly their checks aren't thorough enough), and now seem to be doing nothing about it - meanwhile my credit score is going down the pan!

I have a Credit Card which has around £2,000 on it, on a 0% interest offer - but the 0% expires in July. My plan has always been to get another 0% interest card and transfer the balance - but as things stand due to my credit score getting worse each month, I'm not going to be accepted for a new one and so am going to end up paying a load of interest.

Can someone please advise me what I can do to a) get this hurried along so my credit score is amended, b) what I can do about this company who don't seem to care that I'm a victim of Identity Theft, and c) what I can do about the 0% interest credit card? Is it likely that the credit card provider will take sympathy on my situation and extend the 0% interest period by a few more months until this is all sorted?

I work so hard to keep within credit limits, pay bills on time etc. to keep my credit score good - and some tw*t has come along and ruined everything for me! :mad:

Comments

  • It can take a month or 2 for the CRA's to update with account changes.

    Also your score isn't being affected since it's made up - what may be affected is your credit history, until this is resolved.
  • !!! wrote: »
    It can take a month or 2 for the CRA's to update with account changes.

    Also your score isn't being affected since it's made up - what may be affected is your credit history, until this is resolved.

    Thanks - but when I log onto Clear Score it literally says 'Your Credit Score is down 16 points'
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
    First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    Yes, but that's a made up gimmick. It's only your credit file contents you need to be concerned with.
  • Candyapple
    Candyapple Posts: 3,384 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker Intrepid Forum Explorer
    Everything you need to do is in post#11 below:

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5650944&highlight=cifas

    I wouldn't even think about applying for anything until you have this resolved and your credit files have all been updated reflecting the correct info.
    I'm a Board Guide on the Credit Cards, Loans, Credit Files & Ratings boards. I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly, and I can move and merge threads there. Any views are mine and not the official line of moneysavingexpert.com
  • Thanks - I have done those things.

    Just have to sit tight and hope they are off my Credit Report by the time it comes to me applying for the new credit card!
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