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I think someone has applied for a loan in my name, what should I do?

Guidance for anyone who thinks they have been a victim of impersonation fraud

Claire avatar
Written by Claire
Updated over 7 months ago

If you think you've been a victim of impersonation fraud and accounts have been opened in your name, here's the steps you should take;

1. Report to the Lender

  • Immediately contact the lender offering the personal loan and inform them of the suspected fraud. If that's us, contact us quickly via;

  • Provide any evidence of the fraud, such as correspondence or notifications about a loan you did not apply for.

  • Request the lender to investigate and flag the account as fraudulent.

2. Check Credit Reports

  • Obtain a copy of your credit report from all major credit reference agencies in the UK (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).

  • Look for unfamiliar loan applications or accounts and report them to the respective agencies.

  • Consider adding a notice of correction or a protective registration (via CIFAS) to alert potential lenders of potential impersonation attempts.

3. Report to Action Fraud

  • File a report with Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.

  • You can report online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call their helpline.

4. Inform Your Bank

  • Notify your bank if you suspect your financial details have been compromised.

  • They may take additional measures to secure your account and prevent further fraud.

5. Contact CIFAS

  • Consider registering with CIFAS, a fraud prevention service, for Protective Registration.

  • This adds an extra layer of security to your credit file, making it harder for fraudsters to take out credit in your name.

6. Secure Personal Information

  • Change passwords for online accounts, especially for email and banking.

  • Be cautious about sharing personal information and ensure your details are stored securely.

7. Seek Advice from Citizens Advice

  • For further support and advice, contact Citizens Advice. They can guide you on your rights and next steps in resolving fraud-related issues.

Taking these steps promptly can help mitigate the impact of impersonation fraud and prevent further misuse of your personal information.

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