To be worried about this

[user1475530483]

I have name changed for this.
We have a live in Nanny who we really love and has been with us almost 2 years. We consider her part of the family, have taken her overseas with us, paying for her to go to her home country for 3 weeks (paid) over xmas etc, paying for her to learn to drive etc. generally think we treat her well and like a family member. She has been amazing to us also and I have trusted and relied on her like a family member.

So tonight i come home and open a letter which was declining me for a credit card application that I didn't apply for.

I immediately called the provider the letter was from to find out about it. I didnt get much information because they told me "as it was declined the application was wiped" however the person on the phone had enough info about the application to then ask me "do you know someone by the name of (Nannys Name) because the application was made by her"
Lady on the phone was quite cagey and wouldnt give much info but said that i was put down as an employer on nannys credit card application,.
i immediately checked my credit rating which appears to have been affected by this "hard enquiry" by this credit card place.

Afterwards I spoke with a friend who works at a bank to ask how this could happen - she said it is possible that I was listed as a co-applicant.

What I dont understand is even if she unknowingly added me as a co applicant - how did they do a credit check on me (which has affected my credit ) without my permission or knowledge?

My husband says she must have been approached by one of those sharky credit card pushers and likely didnt really know what she was filling out. But I have a really sick feeling about it to be honest. How would they be able to do a credit check on me? The letter declining me came to ME - as if I was the applicant. It is all extremely weird.

Is there a logical and innocent explanation for this ? Or should I be concerned that someone I trust isnt who I think they are ?

This can only be solved by them sending you a copy of the loan application. If there are other credit checks against your name perhaps you should be contacting them as well.

People keep talking about OP possibly being put down as a guarantor. I've never heard of a guarantor being requested for a credit card. Is this something people have actual knowledge of, or just misguided attempts to be helpful.

Firstly, who was the credit card provider? You must know that? Is it one of the main ones? My first thought was that she had tried to obtain a cc in your name. (Fraudulently) I'd sit down with your nanny and ask her what's happened.

I spent most of today on the phone to various places and I’ve taken all the advised steps with the credit bureaus who have to “investigate” but as far as I understand the checks (turns out 4 of them from different banks in the last 2 weeks or so) will be removed as they were fraudulent. There’s also now an alert on my credit account so if anyone tries to use my identity the lender and myself will be alerted. I also reported to the fraud office which seemed more like a data collection exercise and not overly helpful.
When I called both credit bureaus I was asked about two phone numbers used by the applicants which I quickly took down and god I’m dying to call them! The whole idea of stealing someone’s identity makes me so mad!!
I’m just left with this feeling of confusion to be honest - as in obviously someone DID apply for this card I first noted - and it WAS made in my name - not as a mistake, co-applicant or guarantor- that’s what i was told by both the lender and the credit bureau. This person used my name and address, date of birth and various other identifying information except for email and phone.
I still don’t understand the first call I had when the name was given to me - when I called again today they claimed to have no name on file other than mine - but the first person who gave me the name didn’t just make up a name- they gave me the name of someone I know!! And today there was no mention of me just being listed as an employer or guarantor under an application made in another name - I specifically asked this based on the previous call - it was confirmed that the application was made as if it were made by me.
So I’m extremely confused. As someone earlier recommended I’ve asked to have access to both calls I made to the lender which were presumably recorded. I’ve also requested a copy of the application that was filled out for this latest one “I” got declined for . But I assume that will be stalled and take min 30 days if I even get it !! With regards to the other 3 applications on my credit file - they clearly were not successful as just appear as checks and no new credit cards appearing on my file - but I have no means other than the name of the bank hat made the credit check to investigate further I don’t think ?

I know I’ve been criticized for jumping to conclusions and believe me I’m trying not to think about it to be honest - but the fact that they mentioned her name connected to this recent application made me go cold . If her name hadn’t been mentioned any involvement by her would never have even crossed my mind. I know that identity theft happens all the time for reasons you’d never consider. I’d have written it off as one of those things and forgotten it after taking protective steps

I’m not sure where to go from here to be honest. I like to think the best of people and 90% of my being is telling me no way (as is my husband) but there is a scared niggle there telling me I’m naive and she has absolute access to all my information and the lender even told me her name (.before back tracking and denying it). I hate myself for doubting her as I do believe she’s not that person and I’d be devastated if I was wrong about that. I can’t believe a person could live in your home for 2 years and be the opposite of the person you thought them to be.
I’d also like to consider that it’s possible she was also part of the fraud - as in a token 3 rd party has done this inclusive of both her and my identity and she’s totally innocent and also a victim of fraud.

Not really understanding how all this works is difficult.i haven’t had chance to talk to her as got back late Friday and she’s off for the weekend and not at home

I’m sure I’ll continue to be criticized but if anyone has any insight or advice it would be appreciated

Is it possible that your nanny has this credit card herself and decided to have a second bite of the cherry in your name? It would breach data protection for them to tell you this, but could explain why the have her name?

Don't make any decisions until you get a copy of the application form. It would be awful to accuse your nanny if she has nothing to do with it, especially as you have such a good relationship. If she is not involved it could be someone she knows, perhaps someone who has manipulated her, or perhaps she has mistakenly mislaid some documents or innocently (but carelessly) given out enough information for a third party to put in an application. On the face of it, you don't need that much personal information to apply for credit.

Absolutely Charles I have no intention of confronting or accusing unless u have solid facts - otherwise I don’t want too and won’t let myself believe she’s done anything wrong. It’s just a confusing situation for sure and also important to know if she herself has been taken advantage of

Op I recall an almost exact case as this when I worked for a major store card In fraud dept. However there was huge debt attached to what the fraudster ‘employee’ had run up.

Request whatever apps you can and the credit report will show any other applications. The warning will alert other F I’s to future apps as it’s all shared.

Personally I’d be sitting and having a chat.

Does she have a room in your house? Probably a bad idea but I would be highly tempted to do a search for paperwork.

Probably a really stupid idea but could someone have been going through your dustbin and finding thrown out letters (if you don't shred letters)? I've heard of this happening. Could explain why they have your name and address but not other information like phone number and email address. And could explain how they know the nanny's name. Just a totally random idea.

I would be very careful with whom I spoke about this in real life - this happened to a friend of mine. It looked like it was their (fabulous) au-pair and it turned out to be her husband who was in dire financial distress (due to incompetence, unemployment, etc that he hadn't discussed at all with his wife). If the au-pair had not been accused, she might have stayed around and come in handy during the ensuing divorce.

Wow, keep us updated OP. What a horrible situation you are in :(

Does nanny have a somewhat shady friend/ boyfriend? Someone who might be doing this with or without her knowledge? Hope you get the truth!

I would take this up with the financial ombudsman.

I would always trust my instincts. Dig deeper.

Any update OP? What happened?