Identity Theft: Lloyds Bank Current Account

[SpeedBash]

Does anyone have any experience of being the victim of identity theft - specifically, where someone has (attempted) to open a bank account in your name?

I have received a couple of letters from Lloyds Bank this morning - one advising me of the overdraft limit on my newly opened account and one to advise me of my activation code for internet banking.

As I have no relationship with Lloyds, my alarm bells started ringing

I have checked my Noddle credit report and there are a couple of entries for searches performed last week by Lloyds to check a credit application related to the opening of a current bank account.

Also, the noddle website has a section titled CIFA which seems to record any instances of (attempted) identity theft.

There are two entries pertaining to the Lloyds searches - one which states the application wasn't granted and one which states that it was!

I'm about to head to my local Lloyds bank to discuss this with them but my mind is racing due to the shock and wanted to see if anyone can advise on what (other) steps I can take to address this.

TIA.

[bugmenot]

A fraudster isn't likely to open an account in your name at your own address using a fake utility bill. More likely, this account was applied for online without the need for any physical documents as the electronic credit and identity check was sufficient. However, all applications are later analysed and checked with fraud prevention agencies. So chances are the account has already been identified as fraudulent and blocked.

No need to go to a branch to sort this as the staff there will have to make a phone another department anyway. You can call Lloyds yourself (0345 300 0000, press 0 to get through to a person who will transfer you to right department).

You can apply for Protective Registration with CIFAS which will cause lenders to question any application that is made to ensure it is genuine.

[SpeedBash]

Appreciate the replies.

So, went to my local Lloyds branch and spoke with the bank manager who was very helpful.

Understandably, but frustratingly, he didn't divulge too much information but he did advise that the account was applied for online and that their extended checks flagged it as a possible case of identity theft so the account was subsequently closed/cancelled. I suspect Lloyds must use CIFA's to perform additional checks which flagged this as a case of identity theft.

He suggested that I:

1) Report this attempt to Action Fraud

2) Register for a credit report monitoring alert service with Equifax or similar and set-up alerts to trigger whenever there are changes to my credit report

3) Register with CIFAs Protective Registration service which adds an additional layer of security when applying for credit etc.

Good advice which I will act on but does anyone have experience of the CIFAs Protective Registration service?

Their own website states that it could slow-down some applications and that, as an alternative, it may be worth considering a credit report monitoring alert service such as Equifax's instead.

Would welcome thoughts on this.

[twoblacklines]

I once checked my credit history with Equifax, and they charged me the same amount once a week, every week, until I cancelled the card a year later. It was something like £3.42 a week but added up, I didn't even realise until 11 months later. £150 for a £3.50 credit check... I would avoid them.

Edit: it might have been Experian. One or the other.

[FWIW]

The bank is liable for fraudulent activity on your account so don't worry about it (too much).

[anonymous-user]

twoblacklines said:

I once checked my credit history with Equifax, and they charged me the same amount once a week, every week, until I cancelled the card a year later. It was something like £3.42 a week but added up, I didn't even realise until 11 months later. £150 for a £3.50 credit check... I would avoid them.

Edit: it might have been Experian. One or the other.

When I last used Experian, it was a free month and then you had to cancel before month two to prevent charges.

All free trials are like this though so it's not an uncommon approach.

[glasgow mega snake]

FWIW said:

The bank is liable for fraudulent activity on your account so don't worry about it (too much).

identity theft

[Gareth79]

garyhun said:

twoblacklines said:

I once checked my credit history with Equifax, and they charged me the same amount once a week, every week, until I cancelled the card a year later. It was something like £3.42 a week but added up, I didn't even realise until 11 months later. £150 for a £3.50 credit check... I would avoid them.

Edit: it might have been Experian. One or the other.

When I last used Experian, it was a free month and then you had to cancel before month two to prevent charges.

All free trials are like this though so it's not an uncommon approach.

I've used the free trials before and once I forgot to cancel they they refunded the month without question. I'd hazard a guess that even if there were multiple months billed they'd refund them if they could see that the account wasn't being used, they are pretty scrupulous and wouldn't want any complaints against them.

Regardless you can get the same services (or extremely similar) completely free now anyway:

Experian through MSE Credit Club: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
Equifax through ClearScore: https://www.clearscore.com/
Callcredit through Noddle: https://www.noddle.co.uk/

[FWIW]

glasgow mega snake said:

FWIW said:

The bank is liable for fraudulent activity on your account so don't worry about it (too much).

identity theft

OK. Now panic!