Fraudulent Next Directory Account

[ClareC]

Came home tonight to find a Next directory addressed to me at my correct address and postcode. Thought this rather odd as I have not ordered Next directory, called them to find out someone has opened an account in my name and address from a shopping centre in Aylesbury Bucks at the end of July!!!! They even had my date of birth!

I am perplexed why they would do this! Anything they order would after all come to me as they used my real address...... I am rather concerned :-(

Has anyone else had this happen to them?

[Annasfield]

To get credit maybe? Perhaps they can get things delivered to another address?

Sorry to hear that though.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Yep. Happened to me twice. I rang them to cancel and they seemed to be aware it happens a bit

Everything got cancelled quickly but I'm careful with discarded post now

[daizie]

Ive never liked anything in Next. Tell a lie . About five years ago i bought a brown leather belt, and a key ring .

[Sue]

I tried to buy some kids' tights from Next online earlier this year, as I couldn't get them in the shop.

They tried to make me open an account, which I didn't want to - in fact they DID open an account, and I had a dreadful time trying to get it cancelled, though I did in the end.

It all seemed a bit underhand on their website.

I found a leather belt I really liked in a Next shop the other week but they didn't have my size. They said they couldn't get it in from another branch, but it was in stock in Bluewater if I wanted to go there (nope!)

I think they're just shooting themselves in the foot really.

I did once have a really nice dress from Next, but it was in about 1985 :))

[giggirl]

Clare,

Yes I've had this happen to me earlier this year - a fraudulent O2 telephone package ordered in my name. A ?500 bill was run-up using my details. The thief used my name and address and also had my DOB and home tel number. In my case it all turned very nasty and I started to receive letters from debt collectors. The thing that freaked me out most is that O2 claimed that a telephone had been delivered to my home address. When I went to the police about it (I needed a crime number) they said that it's the easiest thing in the world - the thief knows where you live and when the delivery is going to happen so they just hang around your doorstep waiting for the delivery van. Delivery people are always in a hurry so they don't care if they hand it over on the doorstep without waiting to see if the person they are giving the thing to do actually LIVES at that address. It's scary.

You need to act immediately - telephone Next and make it clear that this is identity theft. Take down the names of the people you speak with and then follow everything up with a letter and send it by special delivery.

WARNING TO EVERYONE - NEVER throw anything away with your name and address on - invest in a shredder for home use.

Hope this helps.

Px

[thexwinglessxbird]

This also happened to me a few months ago. Somebody had ordered earings from QVC under my details. My address. I cannot understand why somebody would do this, as the earings would have come to me...?!

[giggirl]

thexwinglessxbird Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> This also happened to me a few months ago.

> Somebody had ordered earings from QVC under my

> details. My address. I cannot understand why

> somebody would do this, as the earings would have

> come to me...?!

Not necessarily. Lots of online retailers give the option of having a delivery address which is different to the billing address. I buy a lot online and usually I have things delivered to my work address. I think you'll find that QVC will deliver to any address you ask them to deliver to. Some are more cautious - for example, I buy a lot from Net A Porter but I remember the first time I ordered from them they put me through a security check because I was having the goods delivered to my office (i.e. not the billing address).

[ClareC]

Thanks for this.

I have just called Next again and thorugh my persistence alone finally got to speak with their Accounts Investigation team! Th chap I spoke with on Tuesday hadnt even closed / frozen the account!!! Seems Next do not take identity theft and fraud seriously!!!

I have followed up with a letter and will report this to the Police too - after that I guess it's just a case of keeping an eye on things :-(

[giggirl]

Clare C,

Sorry honey but I think you need to do more. Get your letter in the post and then phone again. If they aren't taking it seriously then don't assume it will all go away. In a few weeks/months you will open the door to a debt collection agency or, they will ruin your credit rating score. I know that it isn't fair that you should have to do all this because some jerk took your details and I'm sorry about that - it sucks.

O2 didn't take me seriously and they ignored my phone calls and my letter. I sent a special delivery letter to their chief executive - THEN they took me seriously - they even compensated me to the tune of ?30 to pay for my postage and phone calls.

[Sue]

Always best to go to the top - they chase the minions below who then actually have to sort it out

[SeanMacGabhann]

"they chase the minions below "

aka: fecal gravity.