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Original poster

Passport and birth certificate given to property buyer!

7 replies

sunlover1123 · 28/10/2023 19:19

Just as the title really and looking for advice.
I've recently purchased a new property. During the sales process (UK) it came to light that the solicitor I had used previously (retired) made a mistake and missed off one of my surnames from land registry.

My seller's solicitor spotted this (according to my current solicitor) and asked for a declaration of truth just to make sure I was who I said I was. My solicitor mentioned that people can be quite pernickety even if hyphens have been missed and so it would be good to do the declaration of truth.
My solicitor took copies of both my birth certificate and passport and certified both documents should they be needed.

Moved into my new home and on the kitchen counter was a document titled exhibit A and there they were!!! Both my passport and birth certificate printed and on my new counter. Clearly the sellers had printed all the documents which had been provided by their solicitor!

Should my solicitor have provided these copies to my buyers and sellers or should these have just been for the solicitor and the declaration of truth which was signed my me?

I am concerned as a few years previously my partner was a victim of a letterbox fraud scheme and so we are super careful about paperwork because of it. I hate the idea these could be used if not properly destroyed etc.

Any advice for what I should do and should I be concerned?

Thank you in advance for any advice

OP posts:
Keepingthingsinteresting · 28/10/2023 21:24

Am I understanding correctly these were print outs of certified copies? If so, they were probably provided as part of the sale process.I wouldn’t worry unduly, but it’s always worth registering with a credit reference agency to keep an eye on your credit, which is where any ID thefts would come into play.

WonderingWanda · 28/10/2023 21:29

I assume the sellers left them there for? If they were the sort to use your information fraudulently then they probably wouldn't have done that.

Climbingthehillfast · 29/10/2023 07:31

The sellers should not have had access surely? That sounds like a data breach.

Smurfmurf · 29/10/2023 07:40

I’d be furious. Giving it to the solicitor is fair enough but not to anyone else. This would be a huge breach of confidentiality at my firm. Massive and there would be repercussions/disciplinary procedures to follow.

I would be checking my credit files and I’d be asking for an explanation as to why my personal details were passed on by the buyers solicitor. It should never have been done without permission. I am in Scotland though so I do appreciate our legal system is different.

Original poster
sunlover1123 · 29/10/2023 07:44

Keepingthingsinteresting · 28/10/2023 21:24

Am I understanding correctly these were print outs of certified copies? If so, they were probably provided as part of the sale process.I wouldn’t worry unduly, but it’s always worth registering with a credit reference agency to keep an eye on your credit, which is where any ID thefts would come into play.

They were certified copies that were printed out. I've seen what happens when you're a victim of fraud - these days it can be very tricky to prove your innocence sadly. The letterbox fraud had opened my eyes to this sadly... don't really fancy checking my credit score each month waiting for what might happen but good advice to check.

OP posts:
Original poster
sunlover1123 · 29/10/2023 07:45

WonderingWanda · 28/10/2023 21:29

I assume the sellers left them there for? If they were the sort to use your information fraudulently then they probably wouldn't have done that.

They left a bunch of paperwork from the sale of the house. I honestly don't think it was intentional

OP posts:
Original poster
sunlover1123 · 29/10/2023 07:50

Smurfmurf · 29/10/2023 07:40

I’d be furious. Giving it to the solicitor is fair enough but not to anyone else. This would be a huge breach of confidentiality at my firm. Massive and there would be repercussions/disciplinary procedures to follow.

I would be checking my credit files and I’d be asking for an explanation as to why my personal details were passed on by the buyers solicitor. It should never have been done without permission. I am in Scotland though so I do appreciate our legal system is different.

I live in England so things may be a little different....
I remember signing consent so they could share documents with the solicitors but nowhere did it mention passport and birth certificates being sent over to buyers or sellers. I was more than happy to have this shared amongst solicitors for verification but why on earth pass it on further? It's not like the buyer or seller would need to see this as it's not like they are trained professionals to do so.

Makes me wonder what else has been shared....

OP posts:
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