Someone has opened a bank account in my name. Fraud?

[pacenotes]

I got my credit report this morning and a HSBC account has been opened with a £5k over draft.

I gave them a ring and sounds like a credit card has been opened too.

I have to visit a branch with some ID before they do anything.

The nearest branch is about an hour's drive away and a pain in the arse to park near. Anything I can do to speed up them investigating it?

Has anyone had this happen to them? How quickly can I have it lifted off my credit report?

[Countdown]

It would be interesting to know how they opened it, given the hoops you have to jump through in order to open an account.

I assume it was HSBC's Fraud Dept that you reported it to? At the very least they should freeze the account until you've had a chance to go in-store and clear things up.

[dundarach]

I don't know what I'm talking about, however if this were me, my next call would be to the police on the none emergency number and insist it's logged and they gave me the number.

[okgo]

I had this also with HSBC - credit card - card was posted to my house. Gave up trying to get through to them eventually. Chopped card up and carried on.

[Somebody]

If you're worried you could apply for a Protective Registration https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr

[EdmondDantes]

First thing to do is obtain a copy of your credit file, this will also show any recent searches for credit/accounts. Any unrecognised searches you should call up these companies to advise it wasn’t your self. You can obtain your report for free the major credit file companies are Call Credit, Experian and Equifax.

Also if it’s happened with one financial institution its more than likely to happen with others.

Do you have an external mailbox or live in a block of flats? Easy for Mail interception this way.


I’d ring up HSBC again and clarify why you’d need to provide ID? Seems a bit strange to me as your reporting these accounts opened fraudulently in your name.

Don’t bother wasting your time calling the police as they will direct you to report to Action Fraud, https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ you can receive a reference number from this and also provide it to HSBC.

Edited to add once fraud has been confirmed, the account removal can take usually one calendar month to update.

Edited by EdmondDantes on Wednesday 20th March 13:40

[bitchstewie]

That feels like it would generate paper post.

Where did that go?

[Tagteam]

I’ve had an account and a credit card opened. In both cases hsbc fraud department were very good to deal with and did everything to stop and close the account . However, I asked for it all to be investigated and nothing happened . I think this happens a lot - police will be a waste of time

[pacenotes]

bhstewie said:

That feels like it would generate paper post.

Where did that go?

According to my credit report it was sent to my house I used to live in 3 years ago. I don't live there anymore and the Royal mail redirect has ran out.

Heading to the nearest branch tomorrow so will update after that.