Identity theft and how to respond to it

[SL222]

Over the last few weeks I've had 2 letters from insurance companies telling me they have cancelled policies for cars I've never heard of. I called one of them up and they helpfully explained that it was probably identity theft, happens all the time and not to worry about it. As they didn't use my credit card to pay for it, I registered with CIFAS to stop it happening again, reported it to Action Fraud who said it's not a crime, and generally moved on.

This morning I got a NIP for another car I've never heard of, from the Met for an offence in London when I was at home in Bristol. I've responded to say it wasn't me.

Any ideas how best to stop it happening any more? I assume using my name on a V5 would be a crime so I could at least report that each time it happens?

All help appreciated

[carl_w]

Not much you can do. I've had four calls in the last couple of weeks from people who know my name and claim to be from Blockchain. I've also had a Virgin Bet account set up using my e-mail address (now cancelled). I think the source may be the Co-op data breach.

I think the only thing you can do is check your credit record to make sure they're not taking out credit agreements using your details.

[alscar]

SL222 said:

Over the last few weeks I've had 2 letters from insurance companies telling me they have cancelled policies for cars I've never heard of. I called one of them up and they helpfully explained that it was probably identity theft, happens all the time and not to worry about it. As they didn't use my credit card to pay for it, I registered with CIFAS to stop it happening again, reported it to Action Fraud who said it's not a crime, and generally moved on.

This morning I got a NIP for another car I've never heard of, from the Met for an offence in London when I was at home in Bristol. I've responded to say it wasn't me.

Any ideas how best to stop it happening any more? I assume using my name on a V5 would be a crime so I could at least report that each time it happens?

All help appreciated

This happened to me a year ago ,only I received around 6 letters from 6 different Insurers.
I also received a letter from a premium finance company.
In each case I called them ( it was easier to just request they put me through to their complaints dept ) particularly as a couple of the letters mentioned cancellation ( of a policy that I hadn’t taken out obviously ).
I dutifully filled out the AF form each time but each time as you have said they replied with it’s not a crime so case closed.
I did then mix things up on their form filling deliberately and actually got a call from them ( from Belfast ) where a very pleasant chap confirmed it wasn’t a crime ( ID Theft ) so no point in going to the Police ( also confirmed by one of the Insurers I spoke to ) but he reassuringly said if I heard nothing more over the next few months I could relax.
He also said it is such a common event.
I also paid £30 to have the CIFAS additional protection for 2 years.
In effect they have used your name and possibly given it to a “ ghost broker “ but obviously with so much being digital they don’t have your email address !
Insurers have their own systems ( there are 2 different ones ) for weeding out false applications.
It’s instantly worrying obviously but try to forget about it.
Any letters you do get just make sure you act on though.

[BertBert]

When did id theft stop being a crime?

[wyson]

Sign up to all the credit checking agencies and flag it with them.
Look for rogue accounts and credit cards etc.

[havoc]

BertBert said:

When did id theft stop being a crime?

When the authorities realised they were pretty powerless to stop it and wanted to make the statistics look better?!?

[Terminator X]

My FiL had it. Crazy situation, it seemed nothing he could do and no one gave one fk about it either. No wonder it's such a problem.

TX.

[SL222]

Thanks all, sounds like I just need to sit back and watch until the next one comes along. I signed up for a credit report update too and that shows nothing bad. Place your bets now on how many cars driving around with my details attached somewhere.....

[wyson]

SL222 said:

Thanks all, sounds like I just need to sit back and watch until the next one comes along. I signed up for a credit report update too and that shows nothing bad. Place your bets now on how many cars driving around with my details attached somewhere.....

You need to sign up with all 3 agencies. Moneysavingexpert is a good guide here.

If you have the apps, they can alert you when someone does an insurance search too.