Advice needed re: fraudulent credit

[Anonymous]

Good morning everyone

My query is to do with contracts.  I have two phones with O2 which I have had for a number of years.

I recently learned that someone who moved out from my address two months ago has taken out a contract with O2 last week using this address as their current address.  

I have the account number and the phone number of this new contract to hand.  I have taken advice and been told that the new contract is fradulent as the person concerned knew this was no longer their address and also the person who set up the contract at the phone shop is related to them (and also knows that they no longer reside at this address) 

Please can I get some advice on what I can do in respect of this issue?

[MI5]

Have they taken the account in your name or their own?

[Anonymous]

Their own

[MI5]

I don't see a major issue tbh then.
You could write to O2 and inform them that they have moved, but they are unlikely to be interested, but at least it keeps a record on your account.

[Bambino]

I agree with @MI5 To protect yourself, write to O2 and report it. If a problem arises and mail from O2 is being sent to your address with that person's name on it, at least you've covered yourself. If an O2 employee has knowingly used your address fraudulently, O2 should know about it.

[Anonymous]

Well the issue is that if the contract is not paid then the credit defaults at my address. Plus both the person who took the contact and the person that completed the contract at the store were both aware that the details given for the credit check were false. What is the wording at the conclusion of the contract when signing? Something like "the details in this application for credit are correct and if knowingly give false or inaccurate information then the contract is void" or something to that affect?

[MI5]

I'm not denying that it's fraud, but O2 will chase the person, not the address, for any non payments.
People move all the time and many don't inform everyone of the address changes.
If you feel strongly enough about it report it to the Police and seek legal advice as I am no lawyer, so just passing on my thoughts on the subject.

[jonsie]

A credit default can be placed on an address and can affect any future credit checks whether in the residents name or not. The OP needs to advise the credit reference agencies such as Experian that any default is registered against the previous occupier. All the agency addresses can be found online. I work in the banking industry and know from experience that applications for credit cards are often rejected because of the address.

[Bambino]

If that's the case @jonsie and I have no reason to doubt your knowledge of this, then the OP needs to get onto O2 and the credit agencies immediately. The manager of the O2 store where this occurred should also be made aware of this.

[MI5]

Totally agree - This must also raise a concern for people who move house too, I guess?