Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

[Amethyst]

Last year Watchdog showed that Britain’s biggest Pay Day Loans company, Wonga, were taking money from the accounts of people who weren’t their customers. At that time, we knew of about 40 cases but Wonga assured us that this was only a minor problem and that they were doing everything they could to tackle it. But the complaints kept coming – since then we’ve heard from over 350 people who claim their accounts have been raided for loans they didn’t take out.

Watch the programme on iplayer here --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b03bs4bf/?t=2m01s

[Guest]

Re: Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

Wonga considered themselves to be the victims of this, makes you wonder if they really understand the implications of someone having their last penny taken out of their account, and being unable to feed their family that week.

[wales01man]

Re: Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

Wonga wont give a toss

[Nibbler]

Re: Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

Wonga wont give a toss

They suddenly do when it gets them bad publicity like this; but yes, in general they couldn't care less.

[enaid]

Re: Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

A little advice on what to do if it happens to you


Contact your bank

If you notice that money has disappeared from your account wrongly, then you need to contact your bank immediately to report the fraud.

They should refund the money.

You should also check with your bank if you receive a letter chasing debts as they will be able to see if there are any pending payments to the payday loan company on your account.

Complain to Wonga

Call Wonga to tell them that what has happened on 0800 316 6745.

This is especially important because they should be able to stop any future payments and also record that the account is fraudulent. Beware of using the premium number quoted on its website, if you prefer to email use this address: customercare@wonga.com.

Check your credit report

If you’ve been a victim of fraud then there’s a possibility that it has damaged your credit history. You should check your score with the three main reference agencies, Experian, Call Credit and Equifax.
This is Money offers a service to check your Experian file through a 30-day free trial period. (This allows you to see your credit file for free and you will not be charged if you cancel the service before the 30 days is up.)

Report it to Action Fraud

The police have asked that people who are a victim of fraud report it to their dedicated service, Action Fraud where they will be given a crime reference number.
Call them on 0300 123 2040 or log your complaint online.
AS A LAST RESORT: Complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service

If you’re unhappy then you can complain to the FOS. You must have registered your complaint with Wonga and have waited a reasonable amount of time before contacting the FOS. You can email them on: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk



http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/e...Advice-do.html

[Nibbler]

Re: Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

If you’re unhappy then you can complain to the FOS. You must have registered your complaint with Wonga and have waited a reasonable amount of time before contacting the FOS. You can email them on: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

While you have to wait for a final response or the 8 weeks before you can take a formal complaint forward with the FOS, it is possible to get them involved sooner than that.

As it says here: http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.u...complaints.htm

We can help by contacting the business for you, and telling them about your complaint.

While they won't always do it, a fair amount of the time if you give the FOS a call and outline your complaint they will write on your behalf in the initial stages as it says there. While not the start of a formal complaint via them at that stage, a letter from the FOS at the beginning can work wonders with some lenders , whereas your own letters may be ignored or brushed off.

[Samantha]

Re: Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

Wonga.com have had this problem for some time - I have seen email scams claiming to be wonga and asking for credit card details - sorry to say it but you must be mad to fall for those - the URL is obviously not Wonga's.

[ncf355]

Re: Wonga.Com: Victims of ID Theft continue to rise

They did this to me, placed a default on my file

Even when I showed they had blatantly ignored the fact I hadnt lived at the address used for the application for in excess of 6 years, the judge ruled in their favour and told me I was lucky they werent asking for costs!