Fraud Protection / Identity Theft

[Finnegan]

Foxestalk is a weird place full of people with all sorts of areas of expertise I might as well throw this out there. 

 

I'm genuinely kicking myself. I've just had one of my first real senior moments and I can't quite believe I've done it. 

 

I just gave my full name, date of birth, address and post code (in addition to them obviously also knowing my phone number) to someone over the phone that I realised, about two seconds after hanging up, was not in fact E-On and was a scammer. I know, idiot. 

 

So wondering if anyone has any relevant experience here, what could someone do with that information and what can I do in advance to protect myself? 

 

Follow up question, has anyone ever got themselves CIFAS protective registration, how did that go and would it be an over reaction? 

 

[RoboFox]

Not an expert by any means, but I doubt much will happen if it's only your personal details and you didn't hand over any financials. Most people's details are out there if you know where to look. 

 

You'll probably end up getting a LOT more scam stuff as you'll be seen as an "active" target and they'll use your own details against you so you'll just have to be hyper vigilant. Absolute worst case scenario, keep an eye on credit reports to check if anyone is trying to take out credit in your name - and CIFAS could help provide an extra layer of protection. It might be worth just letting your bank know.

 

 

Edited 29 July 2025 by RoboFox

[Finnegan]

I phoned by bank, dude almost laughed and basically said not to worry because they'd need a lot more information than that to get through their security checks these days. 

 

I'm not overly concerned about my bank, more what they could sign up to in my name I guess. 

 

[VLC86]

2 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

I phoned by bank, dude almost laughed and basically said not to worry because they'd need a lot more information than that to get through their security checks these days. 

 

I'm not overly concerned about my bank, more what they could sign up to in my name I guess. 

 

Go onto Experian and sign up for their credit lock. That means any application for any credit involves a phone call to you to give them your password.

[Finnegan]

6 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Go onto Experian and sign up for their credit lock. That means any application for any credit involves a phone call to you to give them your password.

 

Yeah I'm reading through the Home Office identity theft check list atm. Think Experian is my next step. CIFAS might be overkill. 

 

Most of what I've given I think the average fraudster could just lift off people's Facebook or the telephone directory. 

 

[VLC86]

12 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

Yeah I'm reading through the Home Office identity theft check list atm. Think Experian is my next step. CIFAS might be overkill. 

 

Most of what I've given I think the average fraudster could just lift off people's Facebook or the telephone directory. 

 

You’ll only have to do it for a few months as they will get bored.

 

I was involved in a data leak and the company paid for it for me, I’ve never seen anything on there so you’ll probably be fine but it’s reassuring to see at least.

[NJFox]

47 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Go onto Experian and sign up for their credit lock. That means any application for any credit involves a phone call to you to give them your password.

Couldn’t agree more. Experian saved me a few months ago when I was subject to several debt collection notices that I knew to be fake, but if you receive enough of them, it makes you wonder what’s out there.  (Turns out they were looking for someone else with the same last name). Various tiers of free and paid services are available.
 

Paid membership with Credit Lock is worth it for the peace of mind.

[Finnegan]

Yeh I've just got a 30 day trial with Experian ID Plus. We'll see how that goes.

 

Now I've calmed down a bit, as @RoboFox says, all I've given them is freely enough available for anyone trying hard enough. 

 

What they really wanted out of the call was me to book a smart meter fitting and give them card details to pay an installation fee which I obviously didn't and wouldn't do. 

 

[VLC86]

1 hour ago, Finnegan said:

Yeh I've just got a 30 day trial with Experian ID Plus. We'll see how that goes.

 

Now I've calmed down a bit, as @RoboFox says, all I've given them is freely enough available for anyone trying hard enough. 

 

What they really wanted out of the call was me to book a smart meter fitting and give them card details to pay an installation fee which I obviously didn't and wouldn't do. 

 

Not even if you had a pigeon in your bank account?

[Trav Le Bleu]

5 hours ago, Finnegan said:

I phoned by bank, dude almost laughed and basically said not to worry because they'd need a lot more information than that to get through their security checks these days. 

 

I'm not overly concerned about my bank, more what they could sign up to in my name I guess. 

 

So basically, what you're trying to do is explain to your girlfriend the pornhub account she found in your name?

[Raj]

6 hours ago, Finnegan said:

Foxestalk is a weird place full of people with all sorts of areas of expertise I might as well throw this out there. 

 

I'm genuinely kicking myself. I've just had one of my first real senior moments and I can't quite believe I've done it. 

 

I just gave my full name, date of birth, address and post code (in addition to them obviously also knowing my phone number) to someone over the phone that I realised, about two seconds after hanging up, was not in fact E-On and was a scammer. I know, idiot. 

 

So wondering if anyone has any relevant experience here, what could someone do with that information and what can I do in advance to protect myself? 

 

Follow up question, has anyone ever got themselves CIFAS protective registration, how did that go and would it be an over reaction? 

 

Just put 9f interest what's your mums maiden name and first car mate?

 

Just asking for a cousin who rang someone earlier from India pretending to be from Eon.

 

[Leicester_Loyal]

Probably set up a company in your name using your details and address? Then can take out loans and stuff using the company and your details as a front.

[Parafox]

8 hours ago, Finnegan said:

I phoned by bank, dude almost laughed and basically said not to worry because they'd need a lot more information than that to get through their security checks these days. 

 

I'm not overly concerned about my bank, more what they could sign up to in my name I guess. 

 

Season ticket? 

 

Nah, unlikely

19 minutes ago, Leicester_Loyal said:

Probably set up a company in your name using your details and address? Then can take out loans and stuff using the company and your details as a front.

 

Now you've scared @Finnegan again, just as he was calming down.

[Finnegan]

1 hour ago, Parafox said:

Season ticket? 

 

Nah, unlikely

 

Now you've scared @Finnegan again, just as he was calming down.

 

I deserve it

 

[Zear0]

Pornhub ID checks more stringent than I thought if you needed to give over all that info.

[Detroit Blues]

If it is the same in the UK as the US, I would suggest freezing your credit at each of the 3 credit reporting agencies. It costs nothing to do, and it makes it impossible for someone to open up a line of credit in your name. Then, when you want to use your credit to apply for a loan, you can set up temporary "thaws" of your credit. For example, I went to lease a car and I knew they would have to run my credit, so I set up a two week window in which my credit would be available. 

 

I have done this for my wife's grandfather, as I do not want someone taking advantage of him (family, strangers or otherwise).