What to Do if You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

If you suspect that you are the victim of identity theft it’s important that you take action immediately.  The first thing you should do is obtain a copy of your credit report from one of the following:

• Experian at www.experian.co.uk or 0870 2416212
• Equifax at www.equifax.co.uk or 0870 5143700
• Callcredit at www.callcredit.co.uk or 0870 060 1414

If that confirms your suspicions then you should...

• Get Protective Registration from CIFAS

CIFAS is the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service and you can get protective registration for a small fee.  Once you have registered, CIFAS members such as banks and other lenders will be made aware that you are the victim of identity theft and will carry out extra checks whenever anyone (including you) applies for a financial service using your address.  www.cifas.org.uk
Report it to the Police

It’s important that you report the matter to the police and obtain a crime reference number.

Credit Reference Agencies

Write to all three agencies that supply credit information to businesses and to lenders – Experian, Equifax and Callcredit.  Advise them that you have been the victim of identity theft and that someone has been using your identity to obtain credit fraudulently in your name – tell them also that you have applied for protective registration.

This will add a “Notice of Correction” to your credit reports – “I have been the victim of identity fraud – please treat all applications in my name as suspicious”.  This will mean that any credit applications will be delayed or refused – even genuine ones made by you.  But as not all lenders are members of CIFAS, this is an essential thing to do as all lenders are required to read the contents of a Notice of Correction when assessing your application.

Once your identity fraud problem is over you MUST write to the credit reference agencies to remove the Notice of Correction, otherwise it will stay on your file forever.

Keeping Records

When contacting your own lenders or those that were defrauded make sure you keep a careful record of all telephone conversations and copies of all correspondence (both sent and received).
Contact all Victimized Lenders

Contact all the lenders that you know have received fraudulent applications in your name and ask them to provide copies of all documentation relating to the application.  They may require you to complete a Statutory Declaration to deny your participation in the application.

Mail Redirection

Check that your mail is not being redirected by contacting the Royal Mail’s local office.  Make a note of the dates when you expect to receive your credit card, mortgage and other bills.  If they do not arrive within a few days of the expected date, contact the issuer and check what address they were sent to.

Existing Accounts

If your existing bank or credit card accounts have been used fraudulently, ring each lender and advise them of problem.  They will provide replacement cards with new account numbers.  Sign each immediately and change the PINs as soon as possible – do not use the same PIN you used on the old cards.  Make sure that your Bank or Credit Card company has your genuine address and that no mail redirection is in place before asking for new cards to be posted to you.

Stolen Driving Licence or Passport

If you suspect that your driving licence or passport has been stolen report it as soon as possible.

• www.dvla.gov.uk for driving licence theft.
• www.ips.gov.uk or call 0870 5210410 for passport theft.

Debt Collectors

If debt collectors or bailiffs arrive at your home demanding you pay unpaid debts caused by fraudulent activity, advise them that you have been the victim of identity theft and are not responsible for the debt they are collecting.  Ask them for copies of the credit agreements and details of all outstanding amounts including the name and address of the lender.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRMCUMSTANCES ALLOW THEM ACCESS TO YOUR HOME. Bailiffs cannot enter your property by force unless they have been let in on a previous visit to collect the same debt.  They can, however, make a peaceful entry through an open window or closed but unlocked door.  You should always refuse to let the bailiff into your home as this will ensure that they cannot force entry if they visit again.

Bailiffs cannot seize your basic household goods – clothing, bedding and tools of a trade.  They are not allowed to seize goods belonging to a person other than the debtor but can normally seize jointly owned goods.  The proceeds of any jointly owned goods would have to be divided between the lender and the other owner.

Sources of Useful Information

National Identity Theft Assistance Centre:  www.nitac.net
Bereavement Register:  www.the-bereavement-register.org.uk
Email Preference Service:  http://www.ims-dm.com/cgi/offemaillist.php (only applies to UK)
Email Preference Service:  http://www.epsonline.org.uk/ (coming soon)
Fax Preference Service:  www.fpsonline.co.uk
Mailing Preference Service:  www.mpsonline.co.uk
Telephone Preference Service:  www.tpsonline.co.uk
Credit Reference Report:  www.annualcreditreport.co.uk
Callcredit:  www.callcredit.co.uk
Experian:  www.experian.co.uk
Equifax:  www.equifax.co.uk
Credit File Analysis:  www.checkmyfile.com
Registry Trust:  www.registry-trust.org.uk (court judgment records)
CIFAS:  www.cifas.org.uk (UK’s Fraud Preventions Service)