Identity theft and credit file with insurance quote searches

[e8_pack]

So a few weeks a go i get bailiffs knocking on my door that i owe some money to a finance company. Turns out an account was opened in my name at my previous address when i left the property. I was even out the country at the time the application was made.

Anyway, i sorted that out pretty quickly and whilst checking my credit file I noticed 40 odd searches for various credit cards, store cards, mail order accounts etc. Obviously made by the identity thief.

What else suprised me were insurance quotations - I often check insurance quotes when i think about what car to buy next. Seems these have all appeared on my credit file.

Anyone know if these have a bad effect.

Anyone experienced identity theft? Advice would be welcome.

[Steffan]

This is a serious problem.

I would suggest you contact all the credit reference agencies and a company called CIFAS who deal withythis eventuality.

I would suggest writing formally invoking the complaints procedure of ever one of the agencies. By recorded delivery. There are three main Agencies in the UK.

You will find this site very helpful:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/topic_specifi...

I would also notify the Police formally and get a crime number.

You need your record expunged of all these fraudulent activities and an absolute agreement that none of this reflects on you. Accept nothing less.

I retired a while back as a CA.

Do not let this lie: it could be a real nuisance.