Brother has given my address to debt collectors

[trashcanjunkie]

More of a wwyd

I have very minimal contact with my brother (I cannot call him 'db') he's been in lots of trouble with the police over the years - assault, drink driving etc he's come to the attention of social services lately recently over separate issues with his children.... Anyway, I opened some mail last night without particularly checking the name on the front. Turns out its addressed to him, from a debt company. I called their number to query and it seems he has fraudulently used my address! The company were very nice and removed my address. I was able to give them his. Now I'm unsure what to do.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

I wouldn't do anything else, they'll find him now.

[acasualobserver]

Worth getting a credit check. This would reveal any debts incurred by your brother using your address.

[KinkyAfro]

And Throston some fucks into your brother, cheeky bastard

[KinkyAfro]

• Throston???? WTF is Throston?! Throw some fucks. Throw

[BewtySkoolDropowt]

I second the suggestion to get a credit check. Any debts he has at your address could impact on your credit rating.

[WatchingFromTheWings]

Agree with pp. Get a credit check, see what else is going on. And carry on opening all mail in his name. Do you have an address for him? As I'd be making sure they have his address!

[BaronessEllaSaturday]

Worth getting a credit check. This would reveal any debts incurred by your brother using your address.

The only way to do that would be to use your brothers name as debts are not tied to the address but the name however it would be illegal to do a credit check in his name without his consent. Any debts he has are his and would not impact on your credit rating.

[SillySongsWithLarry]

Debts at your address will not impact your credit rating unless you are financially linked to the debtor (have a joint account, joint debts etc). Do continue to tell the debt collectors where your brother is though.

[WhooooAmI24601]

You can do a credit check on yourself and see if there's anyone linked to your address; I know that when I check my credit score DH comes up as linked to me, so worth checking that he's not added himself to the electoral roll or run up anything in your name.

[Alwayscheerful]

Noddle is your friend here.

Instant credit check, will show your financial history and anyone linked to your credit file.

[sparechange]

As others have said, do a credit check, but a proper full Experian one, rather than a free Noddle one.
It will list 'linked people', which should just be anyone like a DP who you have a joint bank account with, or have a mortgage, bills, loan etc with.

If your bother is on there, it means he is now linked with you by the credit agency and you'll need to write to them to get him removed.
If he is listed, it might also mean he has tried to apply for something with your name, so carefully go through the list of recent credit checks for anything that you didn't do

[GabsAlot]

try clearscore their free and it will show whose linked to you

[MuggaTea]

you can get a free full experian report (just cancel after 30 days). I have done this when I queried something odd.

It will tell you who is "linked" to your credit.

[JudyCoolibar]

Point out to your brother that it's pointless using your address because you are going to shop him every single time a letter addressed to him arrives at your house. And tear him a new one.

[PregnantAndEngaged]

I work in debt collection. I just want to dispel some myths here.

• Your brother opening a credit account with your address will not impact on your credit file.
  
• Your brother will not be a financial associate of yours just because the address are the same on both credit files. You'd only become financial associated if you had a joint account together.
  

If this has in anyway impacted on your credit file it would only happen if he had fraudulently signed to open a joint account with yourself or opened a credit account in your name. In which case you'd be able to get that removed and he'd be in serious trouble for fraud.

Also, you've done your bit now OP in telling them that he does not live there/has never lived there. The debt collectors will now start a process called trace to confirm his actual address and will start pursuing him via that address instead.

[PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon]

There is a money saving expert credit report that uses Experian if you want to check your credit. I believe it's free. Might be worth looking at his website if you're leaning towards getting one done

[Oldraver]

I'm in a similar situation and its fucking infuriating.

I've opened a letter to DB this morning and its a credit card.....he has several and this one was taken out in the last year or so...he left 6 years ago.

There are also other things he is doing that could be on dodgy ground...I've told him to inform everyone of his change of address but he has just redirected his mail so its just the odd letter that slips the net.

[19lottie82]

Firstly, debt is only linked to a person, not an address, so try not to panic.

However, as advised, get a credit check for yourself, and see if there is anything that seems odd, and also make sure you're not "financially joined" with your brother.

I'd open all the letters, contact any of the creditors and advise them that your brother does not, and never has, lived with you, and give them his correct address.

(and before anyone starts, no, it's NOT illegal to open someone else's mail, UNLESS you have a good reason. )

[KayTee87]

His debt could only affect your credit score if you have any joint credit eg mortgage, joint account etc. - him using your address wouldn't affect your rating at all. He was likely using it so the debt collectors couldn't bother him at his own home.

[trashcanjunkie]

Thanks for the Adobe and reassurance. I just can't think what he expected me to do? He's a massive wanker in every way. Ugh

[trashcanjunkie]

Adobe? Advice....

[AdoraBell]

Well done giving them his address.

As for what he expects you to do? Probably put up and shut up if my guess is right. Fuck that. If he kicks off when they contact him just tell him straight - yes, I gave them your address because you went behind my back and used my address fraudulently.