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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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Original poster

Ex taking out credit using my address

17 replies

Mum1g2b · 25/08/2018 12:32

My ex ended things and moved out 4 weeks ago.

He's staying with family while he organises somewhere permanent.

His mail still gets delivered to my home (I own my home in my name only) and a letter has arrived from Aqua card services. It clearly has a bank/credit card in it (from feel I've obviously not opened it!)

I know he didn't have a credit card when he was with me. So I believe it's a new one he's taken out.

I'm concerned he's using my address as his current address. Should I be? Could this have a negative effect on me?

Would you just ask him outright?

Appreciate any advice.

OP posts:

LouHotel · 25/08/2018 12:37

I would call the company to say youve recieved what you think is a credit card under the name of a person who no longer lives here, then take a picture of it before posting back as not at this address. When you call up ask for a log number from their fraud team and name of person you spoke to....it might be worth calling citizens advice for what you can do to protect yourself.

Was his name on the electoral role or any of your gas/water etc... as I wouldnt think you could take credit out at an address without some sort of proof you live there.

Itsatravesty · 25/08/2018 12:39

Just write not at this address and post it back.

Hadalifeonce · 25/08/2018 12:40

I second posting it back with 'Not at this address'.

Original poster

Mum1g2b · 25/08/2018 12:44

He was electoral role as he lived with me for 3 years.

He didn't have any bills in his name but his own mobile, bank account would be registered here.

I have already removed him from council tax so I could claim single person discount and from the electoral role, although the latter was only a few days ago.

Aside from the downright bloody cheek of it I am worried it could affect stuff like my council tax etc.

OP posts:

SandyY2K · 25/08/2018 13:17

Return to sender and mark it 'does not live here' or ' 'Addressee moved"

category12 · 25/08/2018 13:22

"Return to sender". With everything, everytime, don't keep any of it or throw it away, it'll just keep coming as they'll think it's being received.

Bangkokbaby · 25/08/2018 13:25

I got a letter through the post from a credit card company, not one of heard of before. Addressed to me, but with a card in it. When I opened it it was a dummy card used to advertise their services. Could that be what this is?

Bezm · 25/08/2018 13:30

Am I the only person here that would open it? If it was a card at the address, I'd return it stating not living at this address anymore. If just junk, I'd put it on one side and hand it over to him next time you see him, apologising for opening it 'by mistake '

Original poster

Mum1g2b · 25/08/2018 14:05

@Bangkokbaby I'm not sure. I've never heard of that so hadn't even considered it. I know he's looking to rent and has no savings so I just put 2 and 2 together and assumed.

@Bezm I always thought you could get into trouble for opening someone else's mail.

I think I'll phone them as I'd like confirmation they know he doesn't live here anymore.

OP posts:

SparklyMagpie · 25/08/2018 14:10

I was also going to post the same as Bangkokbaby, I get letters all the time with dummy cards in

But still I'd send it back to be safe

Original poster

Mum1g2b · 26/08/2018 10:32

So I asked him out right and said I would open the letter if he wasn’t honest.

He admitted making 2 credit applications and also said he’s still using my address as his own. He even admitted putting it down on his current rental application and has also said it was a private tenant/landlord arrangement. I should have clicked last week when he asked me for a landlord/character reference! I can’t actually believe the cheek of him.

I’ve told him I’ll be returning the letter as ‘no longer resides at this address’. He’s asked I don’t contact the rental company saying he could lose the house and making me feel guilty as it would make it difficult for him to see Kids.

He’s not giving his current address as I think there would be some repercussions there with benefits/social housing etc.

OP posts:

Anon90 · 26/08/2018 13:25

He will have done it at your address because hes on the electoral role there. Most, if not all will decline credit automatically if you are not on the electoral register.

A loan would not effect benefits etc so that cant be his motivation.

It wont effect you anyway. If you were thinking along the lines of "address blacklisting" this is a total myth and does not happen. It would only effect your eligibility fot credit, or put you in a position where you could be held responsible if he fraudulently used your actual name as a joint applicant or guarantor.

I would ignore and just pass him his mail and put it out of your mind.

If he doesnt pay it and baliffs turn up all you have to do is show them proof he doesnt live there. My ex has had baliffs for debt in my name (accrued during the relationship) and as the house isnin his name he simply shows them his tenancy agreement (i left) and off they go.

Are you will clearscore or another service that allows you to see what credit searches have been done on you? That way you will be sure he isnt using your actual name.

Anon90 · 26/08/2018 13:28

Also, whats the issue with him putting it on his current rental agreement? Surely he has to. Ive always had to supply my last address to an agency for their credit searches.

Again, this wont effect you but is necessary for them to make sure his information checks out.

Im not sure what else you expect him to do about that if he lived with you he cant really lie to them.

GaraMedouar · 26/08/2018 13:38

I had the same OP. After ExP left I still had all his mail coming here. He didn't advise anyone of a change of address, he was (and still is) staying at a mate's house. He had debts coming out of his ears. I found that even if you send back to sender they still came. It is only illegal to open someone else's post if you are going to do something fraudulent. I opened a letter from a solicitor as it was chasing a debt which had gone to court for £5,000! I phoned the solicitor and explained ex had left 18 months previously. I didn't want bailiffs round. Solicitor was lovely, and annoyed at ex for not having been honest about postal address.

Treacletoots · 26/08/2018 13:43

It sounds as if he's doing his best to move on. Realistically if you make it difficult for him it's going to bite you in the ass at some point.

It's likely the card is for moving expenses and he needs good credit to get another property to rent.

Once he's moved do a credit check on your property and contact any that shouldn't be there any more.

If you try and scupper his plans he will retaliate and who knows there that goes which you don't want the hassle.

user1492863869 · 26/08/2018 14:53

In your position I would assume he applied for credit around the time of moving out and used your address to facilitate this. As people said above credit ratings are aligned to his entry on the electoral roll. Moving is an expensive up front business and you need a good credit & references for a half decent property. Using a temporary address just messes your credit history up and I would probably have omitted it in the same circumstances. But I would have asked. He has been a bit cheeky. Obviously if he is a dodgy bloke generally it might be more.

Based on your posts my advice is to tell him he should have discussed this with you and that he was using you as a reference for his new rental. I would be very firm that he must not use your address once he moves into the new rental. I would forward the mail on that condition. Ask that he gives you proof that he has updated his address and ask for his new address.

Unless you are already financially linked any risk will resolve once he updates his new address details with his creditors. Your risk is that he doesn’t update but you will soon know as mail continues to arrive. You can then inform creditors of the new address. Credit is linked to the person not the address.

Unless you want to screw him over by returning the card to Aqua and stopping him getting a new place, just forward the card will clear direction to stop using your address. Get his new address as a safeguard. He will then move on and so can you. Don’t give him reason to come back at you, even if you hate. Get him out of your life and use the card and reference as leverage.

Original poster

Mum1g2b · 26/08/2018 17:15

Thanks.

I've possibly come across like a woman scorned and that's not my intention.

I have returned the card. He can make a new application with his current address. I know he'll need to list my address as a previous one and I have no issue with that. I won't have him falsely taking out credit at my address though.

I have no desire to stop him moving on and won't be contacting his letting agent. I just felt he had a downright cheek making out he rented privately from me and again he should give his current address and list mine as previous.

Thanks for your replies.

OP posts:

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