Should I be worried that some fraudulent idiot is using my name and address to buy vehicle insurance?

Posted by 070420210854@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 15 comments

Two insurance companies have written to me saying "my" insurance has been cancelled. And they have reported the criminal activity to Cifas (credit industry fraud avoidance system). I have checked all my cards and bank accounts and there is no unknown charges. Thanks

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15 Comments

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Plumb121@reddit

Yes. Very !!!!!.

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average_as_hell@reddit

Just be careful that these insurance firms are genuine and are not sending you fake cancelation notices to panic you into sharing more of your details. Citizens advice used to be the best place for this sort of thing

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CrazyVersion1251@reddit

Goodd point!

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Solid_Bee666@reddit

That's really not a thing. OP's initial hunch that somebody has used his name and address to get a car insured is very likely to be what's happening here.

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33backagain@reddit

I would contact them and see what’s going on. You have to declare if you have ever had motor insurance cancelled when applying for your own cover, so you don’t want that on your record.

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070420210854@reddit (OP)

I did. They said they can't give me any details because of data protection. Nice, they protect the criminal.

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33backagain@reddit

Not sure how they could be protecting your data. I would ask to speak with a supervisor - surely you’re not the first person this has happened to.

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Rev_dino@reddit

Happened to me last year. Evidently, they take out insurance, using someone else's details, from a low risk postcode area, the car shows up as insured on ANPR, and they're good to go. All the cars in my case were shitbuckets in east London, presumably deliveroo drivers or somesuch. They pay the first installment, then stop, and it takes a while for the insurance companies to cancel the policy. Talk to the insurance companies, and explain the situation. They've seen it all before, and are actually quite helpful. HTH.

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070420210854@reddit (OP)

Thanks. That makes sense. My wife was like, why? Surely criminals just don't get insurance. We know how many never get insurance.

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ProfessorYaffle1@reddit

Yes - if they are using you name and address than it could easily affect you f you need to buy insurance and it looks as though you have had insurance cancelled , or if you apply for credit. Contact the comapnies (don't use the details on the letters, look up the relvant company to find their genuine contact details) Be clear that you have not taken out the policies with them and ask them to update their records to show that. Also check your credit files - see what searches and other records there are . Contact action fraud.

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070420210854@reddit (OP)

Thanks. Have just reported it to Action Fraud.

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rosesmellikepoopoo@reddit

Yes you should absolutely be worried. Not sure what you can do about it though. One question: how does some dodgy fraudster have your name and address?

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070420210854@reddit (OP)

Probably from companies house, millions of names and addresses on there.

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ResplendentBear@reddit

Yes, if you want to buy insurance in future. Or you're interested in generally avoiding a wrecked credit score and anything else they plan to do with your identity.

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