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Original poster

Is this possible fraud? Should I be worried?

21 replies

Cherrycheesecakes · 22/02/2025 09:39

Last week I received a letter from a company (they look legit online) thanking me for opening an ISA with them.

My daughter had opened it and it was only when I looked at it properly that I realised the letter was addressed to someone else but used our address. I rung the company who said whilst they couldn’t tell me anything because I am not the ‘account holder’, they made a note on the account that the address was incorrect.

we have lived here many years (since new build) so not even possible that it’s a previous owner.

I have received another letter today thanking me for opening a ‘dealing account’ with the same company.

Are we at risk of some sort of fraud using our address? It’s unnerved me.

Anything else I can do besides speaking to the company again?

OP posts:
Othermentions · 22/02/2025 09:42

Yes I’d say so
sounds very dodgy

MillicentFaucet · 22/02/2025 09:44

I'm a bit confused OP. Did your daughter open on account with this company or just the letter?
It was probably best not to open the letters at all if they don't have your name on them, return them to sender marked "not known at this address"
I'd contact the company again then return any further letters that don't have your name on them.

healthybychristmas · 22/02/2025 09:48

Can you check your credit records?

MillicentFaucet · 22/02/2025 09:50

Maybe reseal this latest letter and return it to the sender. Could just be a simple mistake with the address, someone has opened a dealing account & an ISA with an online platform and chosen the wrong address from the drop-down option perhaps?

Original poster
Cherrycheesecakes · 22/02/2025 09:51

She opened the letter, not the account. I will update the OP to clarify.

how do I check credit records? We use credit karma, would I need to try a different one?)

OP posts:
Original poster
Cherrycheesecakes · 22/02/2025 09:52

It won’t let me edit the OP but to clarify, my daughter opened the letter, not the account!

OP posts:
falalalatte · 22/02/2025 09:54

I'd get Experian, they do a 30 day free trial.

Also, might be worth speaking to CIFAS.

I had something similar happen to me but they didn't use my name or address, just my bank details.

BobbyBiscuits · 22/02/2025 09:57

Stop opening the letters if they have a strangers name on it, just write RTS not at this address and send it back. I wouldn't get involved in calling that firm again.
I guess you could Google the person's name, but there's probably many with the same name.

Bromptotoo · 22/02/2025 10:00

Could be something as simple as a slip of the mouse with a drop down.

We got a package sent to a neighbour by her work left on our doorstep that way.

I'd suggest you return both letters to the sender with a brief letter explaining that the account holder is not living there and never has. Keep copies and get proof of posting.

Sailawaygirl · 22/02/2025 10:08

BobbyBiscuits · 22/02/2025 09:57

Stop opening the letters if they have a strangers name on it, just write RTS not at this address and send it back. I wouldn't get involved in calling that firm again.
I guess you could Google the person's name, but there's probably many with the same name.

Return to sender does nothing! In rented accommodation our landlord was commiting mortgage fraud ( the letters were coming to us) we returned to send for 6 months they kept coming. We opened them and realised what he was trying to looked very dodgy phoned a fraud line or police ( can't remember it was years ago) and they were very thankful confirmed it was very likely a mortgage fraud and they had no record of it.
I always open letters if they look offical and come to my house after this.

SewingBees · 22/02/2025 10:10

It does sound dodgy, especially as you've had two letters for different accounts, albeit from the same company.

You can have your credit report monitored and you receive alerts of any checks on it (soft and hard credit checks). You can also register for alerts on your property title with HM Registry, which would flag to you if someone tries to use your property fraudulently, ie by taking out borrowing against it.

Concretejungle1 · 22/02/2025 10:18

I had this happen to me. I was being threatened with bailiffs. I rang the company and said this person had never lived here and was reporting it too the police as fraudulent. They were suddenly very apologetic and said they would get my address removed.
i said i would still be reporting it as i was not happy at getting this letter.
i did. I did not receive another bailiff letter.
( i was the victim of fraud).

theboffinsarecoming · 22/02/2025 10:41

Do you know your neighbours well? Maybe ask them if they know of anybody in the local area with that name, or anybody that moved away recently.

How long have you lived at your current address? I can't help wondering if it is someone who used to live in your home and now lives elsewhere, and who has been dealing with this company for years but has forgotten to advise them of a change of address.

Mumdiva99 · 22/02/2025 10:49

Return to sender does nothing. We've had many letters over the years - the first house I bought was ex rental so lots of incorrect post. This house they just didn't bother changing their address...for first 6 months I sent on then figured they'd had enough time.....so returned to sender or just threw away. Santander have had mail returned, I've written to them and ha e called too.....every year I still get post for the son about his account. I've given up now. Bin straight away.
(The day the Local mental health home visit team turned up I was most annoyed at them.....this was about 3 years after we moved in and that service is so stretched and precious by those who welcome it. I was furious they had wasted their time by not being clear on the address.)

Original poster
Cherrycheesecakes · 22/02/2025 10:50

We’ve lived here since it was built, quite a few years now so definitely not an old owner as there wasn’t one! I know my neighbours well and it’s not them either.

I’ve rung the company again today and they’ve said they’ll email the accounts team to let them know the address is incorrect and update the file so I won’t receive any more correspondence.

OP posts:
MillicentFaucet · 22/02/2025 10:50

SewingBees · 22/02/2025 10:10

It does sound dodgy, especially as you've had two letters for different accounts, albeit from the same company.

You can have your credit report monitored and you receive alerts of any checks on it (soft and hard credit checks). You can also register for alerts on your property title with HM Registry, which would flag to you if someone tries to use your property fraudulently, ie by taking out borrowing against it.

Having a dealing account is standard for a Stocks & Shares ISA. I have two S&S ISAs on different platforms and use the linked dealing accounts for fees etc

MillicentFaucet · 22/02/2025 10:53

Cherrycheesecakes · 22/02/2025 10:50

We’ve lived here since it was built, quite a few years now so definitely not an old owner as there wasn’t one! I know my neighbours well and it’s not them either.

I’ve rung the company again today and they’ve said they’ll email the accounts team to let them know the address is incorrect and update the file so I won’t receive any more correspondence.

Hopefully it's an honest mistake and the account holder provides the correct address now

Original poster
Cherrycheesecakes · 22/02/2025 11:11

MillicentFaucet · 22/02/2025 10:53

Hopefully it's an honest mistake and the account holder provides the correct address now

Show quote history

I hope so too. Atleast I’ve flagged it with the company so even if it wasn’t an error by the person who opened the account, the company now know the address is incorrect.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 22/02/2025 11:15

Credit checks are done on people not houses so whatever this person is doing , be it a mistake or deliberate it will not affect your credit rating or any other people living at your house unless they are using your name .

YourFairCyanReader · 22/02/2025 11:15

My DD set up an account with a high street bank, accidentally clicked the wrong address on the drop down menu from our post code. Even though it didn't match the proof of address document she sent, they continued to set up the account with our neighbour's address. Just goes to show these proof of address checks don't actually happen.
This could be a scammer who sets up an isa then goes on to take out a loan using the isa documentation as proof of address.

SaveAndEarnMoreMoney · 24/05/2025 23:45

Cherrycheesecakes · 22/02/2025 10:50

We’ve lived here since it was built, quite a few years now so definitely not an old owner as there wasn’t one! I know my neighbours well and it’s not them either.

I’ve rung the company again today and they’ve said they’ll email the accounts team to let them know the address is incorrect and update the file so I won’t receive any more correspondence.

It sounds like potential identity theft but definitely fraud. Please check your credit record (Experian or Equifax) and also check if the company who sent these letters is legitimate!

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