Next / Lowell have marked default ony credit file - but I didn't open an account.

[handsoffmycreditfile]

Hi All

Hoping for some help. I checked my credit file and I have a default marked from Lowell but to an address I don't recognise. After Equifax followed this up for me and I then phoned Lowell, it looks like this is the story:

A fraudster used my name, address and date of birth to open an account with Next. They then changed to address to an address nothing to do with me and have run up a debt of £1000. A default was placed on my credit file.

Lowell have sent me a letter stating they have opened a complaint process after I phoned but on the phone they said it may take 45 days or more to resolve, and obviously I don't trust them any way.

Any advice on how I can sort this ASAP as I need to apply for a mortgage. If the best advice is to get a solicitor I don't mind paying but I would prefer to sort it out myself if I can.

Thanks in advance!

[nemesis45]

Re: Next / Lowell have marked default ony credit file - but I didn't open an account.

Hi welcome to LB,

Please put all this in writing to Lowell, telephone discussion about matters such as this
are best kept with a paper trail.
Address all correspondence to Mr Andrew Bartle the COO of the Lowell Group and use signed
for post.
45 days is not unusually long to investigate and respond ( a formal compliant allows 56 days).
Also note Lowell did not originate this entry, Lowell is a debt purchaser and will have only updated the
original credit file entry.

nem

[handsoffmycreditfile]

Re: Next / Lowell have marked default ony credit file - but I didn't open an account.

Thanks Nem

Do I need to contact Next as well? Who can remove the Default? Is it worth getting a crime number?

[nemesis45]

Re: Next / Lowell have marked default ony credit file - but I didn't open an account.

Yes Next would have initiated the default entry ( write to the Data Controller) you could make this a formal complaint which requires a full investigation and response within 56 days, if the response is unsatisfactory you can then involve the relevant regulatory bodies.
If Next can require Lowell to remove the default.
Have you placed a notice of correction/dispute on all the credit files showing the default?
Report to Action Fraud (online) and get a ref: No.

nem

[handsoffmycreditfile]

Re: Next / Lowell have marked default ony credit file - but I didn't open an account.

Yes Next would have initiated the default entry ( write to the Data Controller) you could make this a formal complaint which requires a full investigation and response within 56 days, if the response is unsatisfactory you can then involve the relevant regulatory bodies.
If Next can require Lowell to remove the default.
Have you placed a notice of correction/dispute on all the credit files showing the default?
Report to Action Fraud (online) and get a ref: No.

nem

Thanks again Nem. Will put correction notice on.

Do you mean I should:

1. Get a crime ref number

Or

2. No, don't get a crime ref.

I think 1 but want to check!

[nemesis45]

Re: Next / Lowell have marked default ony credit file - but I didn't open an account.

Yes get C No, and Action Fraud Ref.

nem

[abp32]

Re: Next / Lowell have marked default ony credit file - but I didn't open an account.

lowell did this to me for a debt with someone with the same name , to be fair every one i spoke to was quite reasonable about it but it took months from start to finish to get it sorted out , i was worried to death about it as it was for 7k but if its not your debt they will they took it off my credit file as well , they will sort it you just have to nag them a bit