My identity was stolen. Now I can’t remortgage

When Rosie Drayton’s identity was stolen, she didn’t realise the impact it would have on her life

By Tim Gibson

Rosie Drayton is worried. She’s in the process of remortgaging, which is stressful at the best of times. But for Rosie it just got a whole lot worse.

    “It’s not a nice feeling to know that someone has got hold of your personal information and is using it to commit fraud,”...  

Last week, Rosie received a package through the post. It was from Nationwide Building Society. The delivery was a card reader to enable online access to her new account.

Trouble is, Rosie has never banked with Nationwide, and hadn’t set up a new account. Someone stole her identity and did it in her name.

Rosie rang Nationwide immediately and put a stop on the account. Fortunately, the fraudsters were yet to spend any money, and Nationwide agreed to upgrade the security on new applications in her name for extra peace of mind.

Even so, Rosie is worried. “It’s not a nice feeling to know that someone has got hold of your personal information and is using it to commit fraud,” she says. “It turns out that you only need a person’s full name, date of birth and address to apply for a range of banking products, including credit cards. That’s a pretty low bar for criminals to reach.”

The bar is especially low if, as Rosie suspects, the criminals have intercepted their victim’s mail in order to harvest the information they require.

“My mail box has been tampered with, and one day a neighbour found some of my post on the street outside our block of flats,” she reports. “I think the fraudsters stole my mail, noted my personal details, and used them to open various accounts.”

That’s right: “various accounts.” Because no sooner had Rosie got to the bottom of the Nationwide fraud than she discovered new accounts in her name with banks such as Sainsbury’s, HSBC and Santander.

Worse still, the criminals had been on a spending spree, racking up thousands of pounds of debt.

“I’ve been assured by the banks that the debt will be refunded,” says Rosie, “but there’s been a really damaging short-term impact on my credit score. This is especially bad news, because it’s meant my mortgage application has been delayed.”

The banks have advised Rosie that her remortgage will proceed once the debts are wiped off. But her concern is that interest rates will rise in the meantime, or that she’ll miss out on the best deals because her application can’t be processed right now.

“I feel like I’m in limbo, and it’s especially galling because the fraudsters are getting away scot-free while my life is in chaos. The police told me that identity theft is not a crime in itself, and that fraud arising from it is hard to prosecute. But it’s not a victimless crime, as I’ve found out to my cost.”

Rosie says the experience has left her feeling angry and confused. “I’ve complained to all the banks and expect financial compensation. Nationwide has already given me a modest amount, but I’ve discovered a further fraud with them so I’ll be asking for more.

“I’m also worried about my remortgage application. I’ll be so upset if we miss out on a lower rate for the coming years because of the actions of these criminals, who don’t care about the people they hurt along the way.”

Note: Rosie’s identity has been disguised. Obviously.

Avoid ID theft: three steps

1) Make sure your post is secure. Rosie thinks thieves took her mail to harvest her details. Make sure yours is delivered to a secure mailbox or through your door. Always remove names and addresses from envelopes before you throw them away.

2) Keep a close eye on your banking. If you spot any irregular spending on your current accounts or credit cards, you should call your bank immediately. They can put a stop on the account while investigating a potential fraud, meaning you don’t accrue a load of debt in the meantime.

3) Always opt for heightened security. If your bank offers the option of advanced security, such as 3D Secure authentication, take it. Anything you can do to protect your data, especially online, is well worth the additional hassle.

Published: 9 August 2019

© 2019 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: The tech time bomb that could floor your business

You may also enjoy: Feeling stressed? Try this technique to help you unwind

Jobs currently available

New job
Warehouse Team Leader
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913690
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Earls Colne to recruit a Warehouse Team Leader to join their long-standing team.

You will have previous warehouse experience or proven experience with a leadership position in a similar role.

Duties include:

  • Supervise employees as they undertake their activities related to order fulfilment
  • Ensure orders are fulfilled in a timely and effective manner
  • Be the first port of contact for employees, escalating problems to the management team when necessary
  • Ensure employees adhere to Health & Safety regulations and relevant laws
  • Monitor employee performance, monitoring their progress towards goals set
  • Monitor the warehouse housekeeping, ensuring a clean and safe work area is maintained
  • Picking accurately from locations and notifying the front-line manager of any shortages
  • Packing customer orders
  • Supervision of container loading and unloading

Ideal role requirements include:

  • Hold a valid Forklift Licence
  • Have good communication skills
  • Have proven leadership and employee management skills
  • Have knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS)

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Shift Production Operator
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Witham, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913691
About the role

Just Recruitment seeks a responsible and proactive Shift Production Operator for a manufacturer, based in Witham, Essex.

This is a shift-based role across seven days, involving:

  • Operating food manufacturing machinery
  • Updating paper records and entering data into IT systems
  • Performing cleaning duties to maintain hygiene standards
  • Working independently for the majority of the shift

Role responsibilities will include:

  • Operating filling equipment, a cooler and a product storage plant
  • Liaison with staff to determine availability of raw materials
  • Movement of product to the final store
  • Sampling of the product
  • General cleanliness of production areas, conveying equipment, coolers, etc.
  • Record keeping in line with quality procedures

Experience in production line operation in the food and beverage sector and knowledge of HACCP would be advantageous.

This role offers excellent company benefits, a competitive salary and shift allowance.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Weighbridge Operator
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £33,042 per annum
Location: Witham, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913692
About the role

Just Recruitment seeks a Weighbridge Operator for a manufacturer based in Witham, Essex.

This role has a rotating day shift pattern - Monday to Friday, 6.00am to 2.30pm and 9.30am to 6.00pm.

Please note that during busy periods this role will also support production areas of the business that will cover working lates, earlies and weekends. (Shift allowance and full training will be provided.)

Duties will include:

  • Checking certificates of analysis
  • Completing bulk vehicle and container inspection reports
  • Ensure that samples are collected and delivered to the laboratory
  • Liaise with hauliers to ensure the efficient operation of the weighbridge
  • Weigh in and out of bulk lorries and containers
  • Use of computerised systems to include stock transfers, production orders
  • Completing all associated paperwork accurately and clearly

This role offers excellent company benefits.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Warehouse Assistant
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: Competitive
Location: Haverhill
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913686
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation, based in Haverhill, looking to recruit a Warehouse Assistant to their growing team.

The key purpose of this role is to support the wider warehouse team with all of the day-to-day warehouse duties, including picking, packing, forklift duties and handballing.

Requirements for this role:

  • Able to carry out all general warehouse duties while maintaining a clean and safe environment.
  • Physically fit and active – the role is 80% manual handling (handballing), including:
  • Picking and packing
  • Loading and unloading
  • A team player with a flexible attitude to support smooth operations and help meet daily targets.

The working hours for this role are from 10am to 7pm, Monday to Friday with lots of overtime on offer if wanted.

To be considered for this role, you must have a valid forklift licence, and in-house licences can be considered.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business that is offering further development.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Forklift Truck Driver/Warehouse Assistant
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913689
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation based in Earls Colne, looking to recruit a Forklift Truck Driver/ Warehouse Assistant for their team.

You will operate a forklift with the utmost care to ensure efficiency and safety whilst manoeuvring around the warehouse, yard, and storage areas. You will be responsible for moving goods around the site. The goal is to ensure that the goods will always be in the right location to achieve maximum efficiency. In addition to driving forklifts, you will also have a range of warehouse duties.

Duties include:

  • Ensure that the forklift driving areas are free from spills or obstructions
  • Daily checking of the forklift and forklift equipment for faults and damages, reporting any faults or damage to the Fulfilment Manager
  • Safely stacking and unstacking large quantities of goods into racking or onto pallets
  • Unloading deliveries into the storage area
  • Moving goods from the storage area to the loading area for transport
  • Loading goods onto vehicles
  • Safely relocating the goods to their assigned location
  • Use industrial plastic wraps and wooden pallets to safely stack and package goods for transport

Role requirements include:

  • Counterbalance Forklift Licence (Essential)
  • Flexi/Reach/Bendi/Pivot Forklift Licence (Desirable)
  • Previous experience working in a warehouse role
  • Proven experience as a forklift driver

Hours: Monday to Friday, 08.30 to 17.30.
Saturdays are a requirement of this role, worked as dictated.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more