To think this is identity fraud ? and if so what do I do ?

[whatintheactual]

I opened today's post tonight to find a debt collection letter. For a phone contract with Tesco mobile which the debt had apparently been sold to this company on 11/11/2019. The letter itself was dated 28 July 2020 though.

I've never, definitely never, had a contract with Tesco mobile and the number doesn't match mine or DC's.

Letter in my name and address.

I have a 'poor' credit score and cannot usually get anything except mobile contracts for years. Can't get loans, when my landlord sold my home I couldn't get accepted for somewhere to live even with a guarantor and long unblemished proof of paying rent on time and references. Cause I'm on benefit tip ups and I failed the credit checks. Tried lots of rents.

It's kind of freaking me out that maybe someone tried to take out stuff in my name but the phone contract is all they could get, and they still have my details.

How do I deal with this ? I don't have much at all in the bank just this month's bill money and £300 savings in another account, but should I transfer everything to my sister's bank in case ?

Only change in late Oct / early Nov 2019 I got a new job. Didn't have a work phone though.

Guess I'll contact the company on Monday. It's a well known debt company. Looks legit.

Contact the debt company and the phone provider. Someone local to us keeps taking out stuff and the address is similar so gets sent to us. It’s really annoying, we keep telling them and nothing is done. Bloody annoying.

OP go and talk to the Citizen's Advice Bureau. From your post it is obviously all too overwhelming for you. They will help you. It is obviously fraud but if you have a poor record Tesco might not believe you so you need help.

I would certainly get in touch with Tesco and explain what has happened.
I would also call 101 and get it logged and get a crime reference number.

Probably best to call 101 first then you can quote the crime reference number to them.

@1Morewineplease

Probably best to call 101 first then you can quote the crime reference number to them.

By ‘them’ I mean Tesco.

@Shizzlestix Thanks. Is it in your name though the person local to you. This is in my name and also address.

@Jamestown Yeah I'm a bit worried Tesco won't believe me.

@1Morewineplease Thanks I'll do that tomorrow.

Get in touch with Tesco and request in writing evidence of you taking the contract, what iD documents they have, copy of a signed contract. Evidence of them sending you bills, any payments that were made and what bank account they came out of.
Evidence of them chasing you initially with proof of delivery.
Had something very similar happen recently with another provider and they couldn’t supply anything and wiped it in the end as it was fraudulent. Also ask them to correct your score with credit agencies - most important bit.
CAB will help if needed.
Try not to let this stress you x

First thing I’d do is check my credit report to see if it appears on there. There are a few free ones - I use credit karma.
If it does appear on there then speak to Tesco’s. if it doesn’t write back to the debt agency and tell them they have the wrong person - you’ve not taken this contract and it doesn’t appear on your credit report.

I recently had a debt collection letter to my home but in my maiden name saying I owed for a sky account. Company was Also legitimate and called BW legal.

I have never owed money for anything and still have Sky at my home and had at my last property and never been in debt to them.

I called sky and They confirmed ive never owed them money. Called the debt company and it was for an address I have never lived at and in a place about 4 hours from where I live and I have never even visited!

I sent in details showing I did not live at the property during the time I apparently owed the money and also sent a specialised debt letter I got from the debt helpline advising them this wasn't my debt and to stop contacting me immediately. I haven't heard anything in about 6 weeks now.

I said to them you have blatantly just wrote to everyone with the same name ( a common maiden surname) in the country hoping for a hit. They basically admitted this and said although they know wasn't me and would look again for the right person that i could get a letter again in years time and I would have to just call and explain again! Obv I Said I'm not going to keep doing this so you will need to check your records. We will see!

If you want to private message me I don't mind sharing the email I sent them telling them they had wrong person.

Don't call 101, Action Fraud are the people to contact.