Received bank details for a bank account I don't have

[NippyWoowoo]

I'm pretty sure this is a scam but I don't know how. I will call the bank tomorrow but just wanted some insight if anyone has experience or knowledge of this.

I've just come back home after Christmas with family to letters from 2 separate banks that I don't bank with.

First is nationwide: a statement for a FlexDirect account for December with opening and closing balance of £0.00 and a message saying 'we're sorry to see you go'. A separate letter welcomes me to digital banking with different codes to allow me to access it.

I have never had a bank account with them.

The second is from Barclays, just a pamphlet about the credit card contained within and my account number with only the last 4 digits displayed.

While I don't have a current account with them, I do have finance through them for Amazon, but I've had that for ages, never received a card for it, and the account numbers do not match.

Any ideas? I'm also worried that someone could be using my name and address to open accounts in their name, but how does that benefit them if they don't have access to the details?

How can scammers intercept post, it sounds very scary but how do they manage it?

I am guessing it would be pretty easy if you have a letter box rather than a letter flap in the door, some of the boxes round here have a slot large enough to get an adult hand in the flap to pull out letters.

In my case they were clearly waiting for the postman and getting the letters out of my mailbox before I could. Not a nice feeling. I put a note on the mailbox saying that I was aware of what was going on and was checking the mailbox multiple times per day trying to intercept any more such letters. In total I received letters from three online banks that worked with apps only.

They might also just loiter about when the post is due, in the hope that they'll be handed the letters. I know if my postman sees me in the garden, or if I'm coming home as he arrives, he just hands me the post. Would be easy for someone to wait nearby and 'just be arriving home' at the right moment.

Goodness Op, that's scary. Hope you get sorted and don't lose out in any way.

Ok update:

First called Barclays, took all my info, said account is now closed but will be forwarding for investigation and I'll get a letter with an update on the case.

Then accident called Action Fraud when I thought I was calling Nationwide (they'd linked their number on the website) but it was perfect because I was able to report the whole situation to them with both banks, they've taken all my details, I have an account with them now and a crime reference number. Person I spoke to also gave me more useful info re checking credit reports and what to do if other stuff pops up

Then actually spoke to Nationwide who took the crime reference number and is forwarding it to their financial crime team.

Thank you to everyone for your experiences and suggestions, hopefully it's been caught in time 🤞🏽

I also hope this doesn't cause any grief for the actual me if I want to open a new account in future 😬

@NippyWoowoo once sorted any accounts taken out by the cloned you should be removed from your credit file, if they ever appear.

Good job you were on it so quickly x

Well done on getting it sorted so quickly. Hopefully that's the end of it now.