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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they did this on purpose? PIL related

302 replies

Dannilion · 02/05/2013 16:01

Bit of background..

PIL's are shit with money. They have had failed business after failed business, declared themselves bankrupt, borrowed £££££'s from friends as investments, asked DH to launder money for them etc.

FIL is nice enough, just made some very silly decisions as well as being on the receiving end of some very bad luck. MIL are very different but get on on a surface level.

Anyways, a few months ago PIL's came round and asked if they could open a bank account in DH's name in order to receive their wages or something as due to their bankruptcy they were struggling with doing so. DH said no, as it was obviously illegal and he is also self employed and didn't want to be investigated. Also PFB was due and we were worried about the effect it would have on us when it came to claiming tax credits etc. Not that we should have had to have given a reason for not wanting to partake in this, but we had plenty.

Fast forward to them coming to visit the baby last week and bringing some letters for him that had arrived at their address. He gets the odd one every so often. He opens one and it's from Santander, thanking him for opening a new account. He never opened a new account with them, ever.

PIL's were very quick to say 'oh your father opened an account with them but they did it in the wrong name by accident, never mind all sorted now etc' and changed the subject.

I just can't see how a bank could open an account in the wrong name for someone who hasn't lived at that address in years. All his other mail comes here so if there is some sort of grand database it would had him at our home address surely?

I haven't broached this with DH yet as it would be devastating for him. But AIBU to think that they have probably gone ahead and opened a bank account in his name? Obviously if they have we will have to deal with it ASAP.

OP posts:
ChasedByBees · 02/05/2013 18:40

Terrible that they would put you in this situation :(

DontmindifIdo · 02/05/2013 18:50

Experian didn't make us wait for a code, it's not free though, but if they do have form, it might be worth checking monthly anyway.

Your DH needs to call the bank tonight and get that account closed/frozen - explaining that he didn't open and it's been open frauduantly.

If they have done this, then I'd be tempted to tell your DH you've got no choice but to go to the police this time - they've crossed a line, they'd done something that doesn't just effect their financial security, but also that of their adult DS and their DGC - they really don't give a shit about you do they? You told them this could effect your tax credits, they are making you risk an allogation of benefit fraud because they think hiding money from their creditors is more important than if their DS risks being financially sound.

BTW - if they've managed to open a bank account in your DH's name, they might have been able to use that to apply for loans/credit cards, if they haven't now, then they might in the future, you need to be all over this. Police.

cozietoesie · 02/05/2013 19:01

I'd agree (and have said so.) Police.

greenfolder · 02/05/2013 19:09

bet you they have swapped a utility bill into his name to use as proof. the bank could not have accidentally opened an account in his name.

i would contact the bank and ask them what has happened, what proof was presented?

WireCatWhore · 02/05/2013 19:14

This is just what you need when you've just had a baby.

This is fraud, they could go to jail.

TiaMariaandSpringCleaning · 02/05/2013 19:17

You should be able to get a credit check done online via experian on a 30 say free trial, you can cancel online easily without charges.

cozietoesie · 02/05/2013 19:20

I tried to cancel, TiaMaria and you couldn't do it online. Had to be by phone.

RenterNomad · 02/05/2013 19:29

Santander Fraud Reporting

HaveTeaWillSurvive · 02/05/2013 19:33

This makes me feel ill - your credit history has such long reaching impacts and it's seriously hard work to get errors removed.

I'm sure your DH doesn't want to believe the worst of his parents but this is incredible, bad enough to think of doing this and ask but then to do it anyway - WTF. Don't really see you've any choice other than to report to Santander and let them deal with it - may at least avoid the stress of going directly to the police yourselves.

Definitely get a post redirection and the online credit rating to give you peace of mind - you don't need something else to lose sleep over. I joined all the major reference agencies lately to check they'd removed my financial association to ex and got all reports instantly. Was easy enough to quit as well - you do have to call but there was no hard sell.

AntoinetteCosway · 02/05/2013 19:34

Oh my God, I can't believe they'd do that to their own son! Awful situation.

cocolepew · 02/05/2013 19:36

What an awful thing to do. They are bloody criminals Shock

lunar1 · 02/05/2013 19:41

I hope this is the only thing they have done, have you got the credit report yet?

cozietoesie · 02/05/2013 19:42

I'd be interested to know the MIL's role here - the OP is being desperately circumspect about her.

But that's neither here nor there really.

Just go to the police. They'll do the leg work for you both.

Metbird · 02/05/2013 19:47

Unfortunately, it is surprisingly easy for family to steal your identity...after all they know all your personal information. My sister stole my ID and the first I knew of it were when the bailiffs called. Take this very seriously and report them now...

Timeforabiscuit · 02/05/2013 19:51

This happened to my DH - His father opened up a student bank account in DH's name as he was going through "a rough time", DH delayed going to Uni by a year - by the time he applied for a student account his credit rating was trashed and no bank would touch him.

utterly utterly selfish thing to do.

cozietoesie · 02/05/2013 19:53

Yes - it would be pretty easy for me to do that for my siblings for instance. Partly because I know personal details about them but more because they trust me.

Any self-serving breach of trust in such circumstances, though, and I believe you're relieved of family loyalties.

Metbird · 02/05/2013 19:57

Funnily enough we don't speak.

Boggler · 02/05/2013 19:58

If they have done this I think a call to the police will be required - parents or no parents.

YourHandInMyHand · 02/05/2013 19:59

Shock Definitely not a mistake! I'd not even bother waiting for their excuses and would just sort it with the bank's fraud department.

Your DH needs to update his address so NO mail goes to his parents.

I've also opened accounts online, it's easy to do if you knew someone's details.

LookingForwardToMarch · 02/05/2013 20:09

Did you get the credit report op?

Original poster
Dannilion · 02/05/2013 20:13

Didn't get a credit report no, but DP is on the phone to Santander right now and it turns out there is a bank account in his name, with his DOB and everything.

I am shaking with rage.

OP posts:
Metbird · 02/05/2013 20:15

You poor thing Sad but it is better to know...you can now take control and get it sorted.

cozietoesie · 02/05/2013 20:16

I'm not surprised you're filled with rage, OP. Let's hope that that's the full extent of it.

jojane · 02/05/2013 20:17

Getting a bank account could just be the start, now they have bank statement s they can start tomget loans sand credit cards etc you need tomget it on record that it's a fraudulent address, even if it means getting in laws into trouble which your dh might be reluctant to do

buildingmycorestrength · 02/05/2013 20:20

Oh dear Lord. This is awful. You poor thing having to deal with this and first baby.

They are vile.