Wallet stolen....anything else I can do?

[E65Ross]

Didn't realise wallet was missing but then got a phone call at my work number from someone saying they were from HSBC (whom I bank with) saying there was fraudulent activity on my card and 2 transactions had already gone through, but I'd get refunded, and did I want to cancel my cards....to which I said yes, but I also asked them how I knew they were who they said they were. They then gave me my full name, address, DOB and account numbers.....fair enough, I thought. They asked me for mothers maiden name and my email address.

I call HSBC up immediately after to check....and whilst on the phone I realise I cannot find my wallet (2 days later, I still haven't found it). HSBC say that definitely was not them, so cancel both my credit and debit cards (I also cancel my Amex) and order new cards.

No money has come out of my account but they have my full name, address, bank details, even my national insurance number. I had business cards in there so they have my work address too.

I've contacted police who have logged it but obviously can't do anything, I've got a new drivers licence on the way....but not sure what else I can do? Just worried as they have a lot of information about me!!

Any thoughts?

[SantaBarbara]

Mothers maiden name is a very bad security question

[E65Ross]

Yep, I don't think any security questions use my mothers maiden name. I use LastPass password manager so all passwords are totally different and the answers to online security questions if you've forgotten password is often totally different to the actual answer (often just a mash of numbers/letters/symbols) and things like my email address, paypal, amazon, facebook etc all use 2-way authentication with my mobile phone so that's not too much of a concern.

Just concerned about if they start some random direct debit or something....?!

Cheers for the help so far, and appreciate any further input.

[E65Ross]

BenjiS said:

Anywhere you've used your mother's maiden name as a security item, you need to change it and the associated password.

You need to change the password on your email account, in fact you need to change any password where your email address was used as the username.

With your mother's maiden name and your email address, they'll potentially be able to reset passwords.

Oh, and follow the guide here

https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/identity-theft/

Edited by BenjiS on Thursday 21st September 16:01

That link is great. My only concern is that I'm currently going through the process of buying my 1st house as well....so don't want any errors thrown up! It appears if I report it, it could potentially become an issue?

[TooMany2cvs]

So they called the number on the business card, and when challenged, gave information that was on the cards in the wallet...

SantaBarbara said:

Mothers maiden name is a very bad security question

Using your actual mother's maiden name is a very bad answer to that question...

[E65Ross]

TooMany2cvs said:

So they called the number on the business card, and when challenged, gave information that was on the cards in the wallet...

Yes, but I wasn't aware the wallet was missing at the time....this is what's concerning....they have a lot of my personal details

[Swampy1982]

anything in your wallet that might cost you to replace, eg drivers licence etc etc, I would see if your bank account has protection for lost cards etc.

Mine does, and will replace everything FOC if you need it.

[SantaBarbara]

Put a STOP on your accounts

[SVTRick]

If out find who done it.
Smash their fingers with a hammer- thieving scum

[SantaBarbara]

E65Ross said:

Yep, I don't think any security questions use my mothers maiden name. I use LastPass password manager so all passwords are totally different and the answers to online security questions if you've forgotten password is often totally different to the actual answer (often just a mash of numbers/letters/symbols) and things like my email address, paypal, amazon, facebook etc all use 2-way authentication with my mobile phone so that's not too much of a concern.

Just concerned about if they start some random direct debit or something....?!

Cheers for the help so far, and appreciate any further input.

I would not go on Amazon, Facebook PayPal. Because of th security risks

[4x4Tyke]

E65Ross said:

Didn't realise wallet was missing but then got a phone call at my work number from someone saying they were from HSBC (whom I bank with) saying there was fraudulent activity on my card and 2 transactions had already gone through, but I'd get refunded, and did I want to cancel my cards....to which I said yes, but I also asked them how I knew they were who they said they were. They then gave me my full name, address, DOB and account numbers.....fair enough, I thought. They asked me for mothers maiden name and my email address.

I call HSBC up immediately after to check....and whilst on the phone I realise I cannot find my wallet (2 days later, I still haven't found it). HSBC say that definitely was not them, so cancel both my credit and debit cards (I also cancel my Amex) and order new cards.

No money has come out of my account but they have my full name, address, bank details, even my national insurance number. I had business cards in there so they have my work address too.

I've contacted police who have logged it but obviously can't do anything, I've got a new drivers licence on the way....but not sure what else I can do? Just worried as they have a lot of information about me!!

Any thoughts?

Always call them back on a different line they can hold the line open, playback a fake dial tone until you dial.

Edited by 4x4Tyke on Thursday 21st September 18:54

[TooMany2cvs]

4x4Tyke said:

Always call them back on a different line.

Just hang the phone up for more than a second or so. The line will be dropped in very short order these days, not left hanging for minutes like it used to be.

[4x4Tyke]

TooMany2cvs said:

4x4Tyke said:

Always call them back on a different line.

Just hang the phone up for more than a second or so. The line will be dropped in very short order these days, not left hanging for minutes like it used to be.

Not necessarily, scammers use equipment that holds the line open, it plays a dial tone down the line to fool people and detects when you dial.

Better to be safe than sorry.

[TooMany2cvs]

4x4Tyke said:

TooMany2cvs said:

4x4Tyke said:

Always call them back on a different line.

Just hang the phone up for more than a second or so. The line will be dropped in very short order these days, not left hanging for minutes like it used to be.

Not necessarily, scammers use equipment that holds the line open, it plays a dial tone down the line to fool people and detects when you dial.

Better to be safe than sorry.

No, they used to- but BT massively shortened the interval before the exchange hangs the line up once the called phone has been hung up. Scammers can do nothing to influence that.

[E65Ross]

So I called my bank and they seemed to think that someone cannot apply for finance, a loan, set up a standing order or direct debit etc etc without a valid card number....They said not only would they need my bank details (which they have) but also my full name and address (which they have), ID (they have, although my picture on driving licence won't match their face!) and a valid card (which they don't have.

But do you NEED a valid card number to set up various finance things? For some reason there's something in the back of my mind saying if you have ID, bank sort code and account number then that's enough so long as you have correct name and address???

Thanks

[vindaloo79]

I was thinking I would if in your position, look at signing up for experian or similar and putting a block on new credit applications.

See if this page tells you anything you haven't already seen:

http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/how-to-report-i...

I'm signed up for Noddle which is a free service and allows me to keep a check on what credit applications or searches are made against my profile. Though I'm not sure how many of the agencies feed into it.

[E65Ross]

vindaloo79 said:

I was thinking I would if in your position, look at signing up for experian or similar and putting a block on new credit applications.

See if this page tells you anything you haven't already seen:

http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/how-to-report-i...

I'm signed up for Noddle which is a free service and allows me to keep a check on what credit applications or searches are made against my profile. Though I'm not sure how many of the agencies feed into it.

Only issue.....I'm just going through buying my 1st house/mortgage application!!!!! What you reckon I should do?

Cheers

[vindaloo79]

E65Ross said:

Only issue.....I'm just going through buying my 1st house/mortgage application!!!!! What you reckon I should do?

Cheers

I just looked on moneysaving expert.com for any advice. The following paragraph looked decisive:

Too late! I think my ID has been stolen

Need instant help? If you think you've fallen victim, Experian's CreditExpert monitoring includes access to an ID fraud protection helpline. This costs £14.99 a month, but it offers a free 30-day trial. So if you need it, simply sign up to the service, use the ID fraud helpline and then cancel the service before the 30 days is up. See the Credit Scores guide to find out how.

If you've noticed unusual account activity and genuinely suspect someone is using your identity to apply for new products, then contact the fraud prevention service CIFAS, and ask it to put a 'protective registration' on your credit reference file. This costs £20 and alerts all lenders who see it to carry out further checks before approving credit applications.

However, don't use this lightly. Getting Protective Registration on your files will slow up any credit searches, as your name will be flagged up, but this won't stop you from taking out products, it will stop the fraudsters.


-- The text was from link here, see bottom: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/ide...

-- I imagine speaking to the lender would be sensible if the application is already in process.

[E65Ross]

I used to have an experian account, which I've now re-opened, and there have been no credit applications etc done in the last couple of days....

I haven't been in direct contact with the mortgage lenders (Nationwide) Although I have emailed my mortgage advisor asking them to contact Nationwide and let them know if they deem it necessary.

I'm probably over-thinking it....but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Edited by E65Ross on Thursday 21st September 21:29

[E65Ross]

Just out of question, when applying for something like a mobile phone contract, does one need a working bank card? Obviously a DD is set up by account number and sort code, address, DOB etc, but do they need a card as well? Just curious/worried

Cheers