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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

That the police don't seem particularly bothered that our address is being used for fraud

40 replies

SakiSiam · 21/10/2020 19:25

Yesterday we received an 'intention to prosecute' notice from Avon and Somerset Police, for speeding. Name on address I'd never heard of - address; ours. The offence took place in Gloustershire, somewhere we've never been. Anywhy, vehicle wasn't registered to us. Today, two more letters: One from Metropolitan Police and another from North Yorkshire Police; again for speeding, differing registration numbers. Again, took place in places we'd never visited. All addressed to same name, at our address.

Obviously our address is being used for fraudulent purposes, but of the two police areas we've rung the response is 'return it, saying how long you've lived there', and 'if you want to include a covering note, do'. I can't help feeling they're going to write off these offences (no resources to follow up). It can be checked on the electoral roll who lives at our property, but I worry how many times has our address been used to defraud in the meantime. It may be unimportant in terms of crime, but it really bothers me that someone is using our address to avoid prosecutions. It also encourages people to evade the law when this type of thing isn't followed up, because there's too much pressure on the police service.

OP posts:
SakiSiam · 23/10/2020 00:41

Also shocked at how apparently easy it seems to be to do this.

OP posts:
Ohnonononononono · 23/10/2020 00:44

The neighbours in the flat below me have been using my flat number for their business account and loan applications (I opened the repayment confirmation letter one day when I wasn't paying attention to the name on my mail.
The police have said that because it's just my address and not my identity, it doesn't count as fraud against me personally, but it's fraud against the companies they're obtaining money from. If the same applies with parking tickets, then I suppose it's fraud against the issuer etc?
Definitely speak to action fraud.

MildlyMiserable · 23/10/2020 00:47

Yep, as long as they don’t use your name it’s not fraud or identity theft - anyone can use your address apparently, frightening isn’t it.
I don’t know where the new registration documents went - they didn’t come here?

cabbageking · 23/10/2020 00:48

The police will refer it to DVLA who can check if anyone else is using that address and if it leads anywhere. They may contact the previous owners for info.
Without some sound info it is going no where.

MaliceOrgan · 23/10/2020 00:53

The police are under resourced, not lazy

Also they're unlikely to keep you posted on any investigation (especially if they suspect you're part of the scam) so you don't actually know that nothing is being done

seayork2020 · 23/10/2020 01:03

But what do you expect the police to do?

SpikedTea · 23/10/2020 01:13

Its interesting that you have the Met and Yorkshire contacting you... Contact your local station and report it so you get a crime reference number. Ask someone to contact DVLA to remove your address as the car is not yours and you don't know them.

lyralalala · 23/10/2020 03:13

@SakiSiam

I don't have a credit file, jeff1965. Good advice, but they'd struggle to get credit in my name. I'm one of those strange human beings who's never had a credit card or bought anything on credit. I found out that was a drawback several years ago, in some circumstances, but in this case it's not something I'm worried about.
You should still double check just in case someone else is building credit in your name
SakiSiam · 23/10/2020 22:01

I had to have a root canal filling this morning, and it was a bit disappointing when I got back home to find that I'd not been merrily commiting more driving offences all over England. I've started to look forward to where I've been lately Smile.

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Sparticuscaticus · 24/10/2020 13:33

@SakiSiam

I had to have a root canal filling this morning, and it was a bit disappointing when I got back home to find that I'd not been merrily commiting more driving offences all over England. I've started to look forward to where I've been lately Smile.
Lol!!

Take a photocopy of all the penalty notices send a letter with them to DVLA and to each of the police forces stating that you have lived at this address tor x amount of years and none of these cars nor names people live at your address and you would like all details of any car other than yours in your name removed from your address as it is fraud. Then the police and dvla can take whatever action they need to. If you email it you will have proof . Send the burgeoning collection to each new offence and that the person is harassing you if it's the same name

SakiSiam · 24/10/2020 21:20

Sparticuscaticus > It is the same name for all the 'notices of prosecution', but there seems to be two vehicles involved, and I've gained the impression that it's somebody doing deliveries. I've never owned a transit van, and don't deliver anything, but if 'Mr Lee Walker' wants to come to my address I'd be happy to meet him. I have taken note of the reference number of prosecution letters, dates and licence plate numbers, before I've 'returned to sender'. Luckily my husband works in insurance and is very clued up on financial scams, so I doubt we'll lose out financially. It's just annoying (but also amusing, because there's no way they'll end up getting away with it), that some stranger is using our address for fraud.

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SakiSiam · 08/11/2020 21:22

After having a lull, Lee Walker's started up again. On Saturday we had two letters; one containing one penalty notice, and the other containing three; all for crossing the Dartford tunnel without paying the fee. I don't even know where the Dartford crossing is! That's now eight penalty notices we've received for this person.

What I don't understand is, why, after a couple of weeks of returning four penalty notices to sender - 'not known at this address', that with the software available to agencies it's not being flagged up across the board that this is fraudulent activity.

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MildlyMiserable · 16/11/2020 20:39

Be persistent, they will stop sending if you keep returning the notices.

SakiSiam · 16/11/2020 21:44

Don't worry, I'm persistent Smile. What I'm worried about now is that the two vehicles may be registered with the DVLA to our address, as some of the penalties issued have come about through camera pictures, rather than a physical ticket. Looking into this now.

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QuirkyTraybake · 19/03/2024 23:06

I'm getting lots OF penalty charges IN MY name and address and i don't know anything about the car some one has registered a car in MY name and address and MY d.o.b SO i think It's some one who knows ME what do i do

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