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Original poster

Can anyone assist in this strange issue

108 replies

LJC1234 · 22/05/2021 09:53

Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong section. I wasn't sure where it should go but is financially related.

I got married 3 years ago. Always intended to take DH name but haven't legally changed it on anything ( other than Facebook)

All my cards / bank and work is in my current maiden name.

We are currently in the process of remortgaging as have reached the end of our current deal. We use a broker.

A few days ago one of my credit cards sent me a new card in my married name. I have not requested a name change. The next day another followed I called the companies and spoke to the fraud team to get an idea why it was requested and they have no idea they are absolutely baffled . They are confident it's not fraud but that something is prompting it they are still investigating.

I have racked my brains but cannot think of anything I have submitted in my married name that would prompt my card company to change my name. I don't use that name.

Today the mortgage advisor has got in touch to say that the application made in my maiden name has been rejected but my married name was accepted . He now needs proof I've changed my name for the mortgage company.. only I haven't changed my name . He wants a letter from my work confirming my identity only again work don't know me in that name ! It's a nightmare. I can obviously on Monday start the ball rolling with all that.

My main question is has anyone ever heard anything like this or anyone got any ideas what on earth I have completed that has promoted my name to change automatically? So stressed and confused.

OP posts:
Original poster
LJC1234 · 26/05/2021 19:58

@nameychange

Surely the mortgage offer not being given would show on your credit record. If it doesn’t then is that proof he never put it through in your maiden name.
So I can't find any searches on me on Experian . Would it be shown there ?
OP posts:
chesirecat99 · 26/05/2021 20:14

I guess you just check if there is a separate credit file in your married name by entering those details on the 3 credit reference agency sites, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion @LJC1234.

He's an independent mortgage advisor so sadly not possible

Then you complain to him. If it isn't resolved to your satisfaction, you then complain to his regulatory body. I think it is the Financial Ombudsman but he should have given you paperwork telling you how to complain/the regulator's details etc at the start.

WeAreTheHeroes · 26/05/2021 20:15

If you haven't already, I'd start a thread Money Saving Expert as some very knowledgeable people with industry experience post on there.

chesirecat99 · 26/05/2021 20:15

So I can't find any searches on me on Experian . Would it be shown there?

It can take 6 weeks or so for the lender to update.

nameychange · 26/05/2021 20:18

According Experian it would show if you’d applied for a mortgage but not if it was refused so if he did apply in your maiden name then surely it would show.

Does being declined a mortgage affect my credit score?

Being refused for credit won’t, in itself, hurt your credit score. Your credit report will show that you applied for a mortgage, but it won’t show whether you were accepted.

www.experian.co.uk/consumer/mortgages/guides/refused-mortgage.html

SaskiaRembrandt · 26/05/2021 21:21

This is very odd. I'm married but have never used my DH's surname. My mortgage and all my financial transactions are in my name, so is my credit score. I don't understand how a mortgage broker could be basically sending two applications in two different names. That just doesn't happen. The application goes through in the name you supply. The only way applications in two separate names could be submitted would be if you had made two separate applications. If you haven't done that then I'm guessing the mortgage broker is engaging in a spot of fraud? I think you need to contact the regulatory body because this all sounds well bogus.

It's also bizarre that a credit card company has changed the name on your account without any input from you. Usually even changing address is a faff.

namechangemarch21 · 26/05/2021 21:33

OP, I beg of you, do not change your name because of this.

I seriously doubt it will fix it at this stage. Take away the fact that you're married, lets say he'd used another name you never used, like added in the wrong middle name. You'd be in the same situation, the only way to extricate yourself is to resolve the original error. You're not someone who switches between two names.

Think of it this way: if he's used your name (and it is your name, not your 'maiden' name, because you haven't changed it!) instead of your husbands, do you really think that you'd both just shrug and go, oh well, I guess that's his new name? Do you think the bank would?

I do find institutions in the UK have a tendency to default to certain things: in the UK I was constantly getting things changed to 'Miss' when I have never ever filled I a form as anything other than Ms since the age of 9. In Ireland, where I've lived the rest of my adult life, this has not happened once. I think your mortgage broker has set you up for a world of trouble, you need to get to the bottom of it; if you got the deal in one name, you'll get it in another. I'd want proof from the bank of where the error originated, and if its his and its cost you finically I'd expect his professional insurance to cover any loss.

I'd also consider reporting to the financial ombudsman. But please, don't change your name because some twat in a suit made a work error.

chesirecat99 · 26/05/2021 21:52

But please, don't change your name because some twat in a suit made a work error.

I totally agree with that @namechangemarch21 but OP did say she had intended to change her name but had never got around to it, so now would be a good time if she still feels that way.

I also suspect it would also be less hassle and quicker to change her name on her driving licence and any other documents required, then change the whole lot back, rather than trying to rectify the mistake with the mortgage application. Then follow that with a complaint.

SaskiaRembrandt · 26/05/2021 21:54

I do find institutions in the UK have a tendency to default to certain things: in the UK I was constantly getting things changed to 'Miss' when I have never ever filled I a form as anything other than Ms since the age of 9. In Ireland, where I've lived the rest of my adult life, this has not happened once.

This has never happened to me in the UK, how unfortunate that was not your experience.

Feelinghothothottoday · 26/05/2021 22:11

Can you bypass the broker and go direct to the new mortgage company. Whenever I’ve used a broker I’ve found I can get the same deal myself. I wonder if he ticked some boxes on the mortgage application that said you would like a credit card as part of the deal? Is he on commission for credit cards too?

I would kick up a storm. It’s a compete breach of your privacy.

Mortgages are so cheap at the moment I would dump the broker as I bet he cocked up.

BeastOfBODMAS · 26/05/2021 22:51

*He's an independent mortgage advisor so sadly not possible

Then you complain to him. If it isn't resolved to your satisfaction, you then complain to his regulatory body. I think it is the Financial Ombudsman but he should have given you paperwork telling you how to complain/the regulator's details etc at the start.*

You need to register a formal complaint with the broker, in writing. And escalate it if it’s not resolved promptly, including redress for any financial loss caused.

Under anti money laundering legislation he will be required to see proof of ID and carry out AML checks before submitting any application. Which he clearly hasn’t done, as no one of your married name exists - it is not your name, so he has submitted a fraudulent application. He has made an application for credit for a person who does not exist (Mrs Marriedname). That is serious. Don’t change your own name to cover up such an almighty fuckup.

You can make a data subject access request to find out exactly what was submitted by him and when.

You can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman, the ICO, and whoever his professional body is (CII?)

He will shit the bed as an independent if you make the right noises as it will affect his professional indemnity insurance costs. Which he will have, for precisely this kind of thing.

You might suggest he rebates his commission to you for the trouble and upset caused as part of the complaint resolution.

Crockof · 27/05/2021 07:37

Is your marriage certificate not proof of change of name?
I have a real mix, mortgage is in maiden name, bank in married, some utilities in either/or. I just have to declare 'also known as'

Can the credit cards not be used as proof of name change?

I wouldn't walk away from a good deal but completely understand why you are cross about it all.

bigbaggyeyes · 27/05/2021 07:39

That is really strange. I've been married 3 years and haven't changed my name and nothing has happened like that.

I do know when you get married a marriage certificate will enough to change your name on everything (well it was when I got married first time around) . However if you get divorced and want to go back to your maiden name you have to do this via deed poll.

Ramsatams · 27/05/2021 07:46

I'd be complaining to any professional body the mortgage advisor is a member of - this was an unwarranted and sexist move on his part.

I have kept my maiden name. Before we married, I contacted my bank to put my account in joint names with DH so both salaries could go into it.

Without my permission, the bank changed my name to his surname and sent a new chequebook in those names.

I played hell with them, it ended up with the bank manager coming to the house in person to apologise. This was in the 1980s - nothing much has changed it seems.

WeAreTheHeroes · 27/05/2021 07:55

@bigbaggyeyes

That is really strange. I've been married 3 years and haven't changed my name and nothing has happened like that.

I do know when you get married a marriage certificate will enough to change your name on everything (well it was when I got married first time around) . However if you get divorced and want to go back to your maiden name you have to do this via deed poll.

This is untrue please don't give out incorrect information as fact: you do not need a deed poll to revert to your birth name. You need your birth certificate, your marriage certificate and your decree absolute. I know, I have done it with govt agencies, banks, etc.
Donitta · 27/05/2021 08:09

Broker is still adamant that he tried maiden name and it was refused but my married surname worked and he thought he was doing us a huge favour getting us a good deal
What! So he thought that instead of using your legal name, he would just make up a totally fake name which has no legal counterpart and use that? That is a huge misconduct and I’d be reporting him to every professional organisation, then getting a solicitor if his cock-up had caused me any financial loss. I would be utterly furious and certainly wouldn’t be changing my name. What if he’d written down Smelly McSmellface to get the mortgage application through - would you change your name to that? Ridiculous.

Original poster
LJC1234 · 27/05/2021 09:11

@Donitta

Broker is still adamant that he tried maiden name and it was refused but my married surname worked and he thought he was doing us a huge favour getting us a good deal What! So he thought that instead of using your legal name, he would just make up a totally fake name which has no legal counterpart and use that? That is a huge misconduct and I’d be reporting him to every professional organisation, then getting a solicitor if his cock-up had caused me any financial loss. I would be utterly furious and certainly wouldn’t be changing my name. What if he’d written down Smelly McSmellface to get the mortgage application through - would you change your name to that? Ridiculous.
Please don't think I'm not livid. We are but the issue is we need the mortgage and as it's so far down we seem completely stuck now.

Our first priority is to secure the mortgage and work out how to do that in the easiest way possible then we fully intend to complain and already have the open complaint with Halifax when my cards got changed over

OP posts:
BelleBlueBell · 27/05/2021 10:32

@Donitta

Broker is still adamant that he tried maiden name and it was refused but my married surname worked and he thought he was doing us a huge favour getting us a good deal What! So he thought that instead of using your legal name, he would just make up a totally fake name which has no legal counterpart and use that? That is a huge misconduct and I’d be reporting him to every professional organisation, then getting a solicitor if his cock-up had caused me any financial loss. I would be utterly furious and certainly wouldn’t be changing my name. What if he’d written down Smelly McSmellface to get the mortgage application through - would you change your name to that? Ridiculous.
This is a good point

It makes zero sense that anyone having had the application declined in the correct name would even think to re-apply in the wrong name and even less sense that the lender would decide that they'd lend to someone who doesn't legally exist but not to someone who does

The broker's pants must be well and truly on fire

I'm cross on your behalf and hope you take your complaint all the way once the mortgage is sorted out

Feelinghothothottoday · 27/05/2021 14:28

I don’t understand this at all.

The electoral role has you down in maiden name;
Your passport is in maiden name;
Your birth certificate is in maiden name;
Your current credit cards are in maiden name;
Council tax bills?
Yet your broker reckons the bank has checked your credit/ financial status and says no to a mortgage in your maiden name yet will give you a mortgage in your married name yet NO legal documents support this name.

Someone is not telling the truth, in this climate no bank would agree to a loan of any size unless you are on the electoral role and have decent credit history. But currently the married you doesn’t exist on this documentation.

notapizzaeater · 28/05/2021 08:36

Can you bypass the FA and speak to the mortgage company direct and ask them ?

Feelinghothothottoday · 28/05/2021 11:09

That’s exactly what I would do.bypass the broker as I wouldn’t trust him.

MyView2 · 28/05/2021 11:19

How bizarre! I have nothing useful to add other than share that after being married for ten years and having changed my name at the time and all my bank accounts etc I still have a credit card in my maiden name as they wanted me to post my original marriage certificate to them, that wasn’t happening so we continue as we were.

I was amused a few years ago when I moved house and dutifully updated my details at the bank, the doctors and dentist without issue. When I got to the council library, they said they needed proof of my new address which needed to be a utility bill (paper format) or my council tax bill which hadn’t been issued yet. Therefore they still have my old address on file, luckily they’ve not had to send me any letters about fines!

Original poster
LJC1234 · 28/05/2021 21:15

Hi all.

Just to update you although not much to update.

One detail I had absolutely not thought of ( or realised to be honest as haven't looked at it in three years ) and apologies if this probably makes me look really dense is I signed my marriage certificate in my married surname. So no fraud was committed technically by the broker as married surname me did exist even if nothing else changed I only realised this when a friend pointed it out today.

I have started the name change process with work and my bank so that I can get a statement to support the mortgage.

Still feeling incredibly angry and frustrated by the whole thing but honestly having gone through the detail with so many people the easiest solution was a name change because we needed the mortgage

OP posts:
Montalbanosono · 28/05/2021 21:24

I signed my marriage certificate in my married surname
Really? I thought everyone signed their maiden name in the marriage certificate!

MrsRockAndRoll · 28/05/2021 22:03

I was told to sign my marriage certificate in my maiden name regardless of whether I was planning to change my name.

I still don't think that explains the mortgage application - I would expect a broker to credit search etc in the correct name. It also doesn't explain why the credit card name change took place