Identity theft

[jennawood]

My sister in law has commited identity theft, i know she has as she has told me. I know the name of the person whos identity she stole and the company she took out a loan from in that name. I don't know what to to. I want to say something to the proper authorities but don't want to get caught out by my husbands family. Can i make an anonymous report?

[chrisuk013]

jenna take what she has told you to your grave!

[jennawood]

I don't think i was really going to say anything anyway. She is a good person really, but i just don't think people should get away with doing things like that.

[THECORBYLOON]

If she has telt you this, what else has she done? For others to say keep quiet about it, what would you say if it was your personal details being used? If she defaults on the loan the other person will be affected and who knows what the consequences of that will be?

Whatever company it is, they will have a fraud or investigations department and no doubt if you want to remain anonymous, they will respect that.

[WendyS]

How can you say she is a good person when she has created all kinds of financial problems for another person which could stop them being able to credit, even though they may have managed their own finance impeccably. She is a thief. Call it by its proper name.

I can understand your dilemma in not wanting to be discovered by your husband's family. Crimes can be reported completely anonomously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11. They will not ask for your name or address but any leads reported to them are followed up. Make the phone call from a phone box and not from your home phone number or mobile phone so that there is no record of it of any phone bills you may receive.

You may indirectly be doing your sister in law a favour. If she is getting herself into financial difficulties and using this as a means of funding her habit , this may be the best way of forcing her to be open about the problem and getting it sorted out, especially if she is also deceving her husband.

[Amber1571]

My brother was a victim of identity fraud. It sickened him, and it sickens me. Your sister in law has broken the law and she should be dealt with accordingly. Think of her poor victim.

Whether or not you remain anonymous is up to you, but you should report her. If you don't and she gets found out and tells the authorities that you were aware of this, then you will be implicated to.

How would you feel if you found out someone was taking out loans and credit cards in your name?

Do the right thing. You know it makes sense.

[gina32]

chrisuk how can you say take it to your grave, thats terrible.

[sponsmith]

Don't say anything. Nobody likes a grass!

[PinkFizz]

Jenna - why on earth did your sister do this,and why did she tell you?? It's a terrible thing to do!

[mike42]

sponsmith,
would you still be of the same opinion if it was you or
someone in your family had this perpertrated on them.
Besides if this goes unpunished then the temptation
to do it again is greater.It is a bit silly to give a throw away
comment like no one likes a grass.THINK ABOUT IT.

[mainsweep]

Difficult one. If you believe she is genuinely a good person then talk to her and find a solution together. The fact she told you is a cry for help, so help her without the Police. She is obviously in trouble.

[THECORBYLOON]

This is National Identity Fraud Prevention week and the last official estimate puts the cost of identity fraud at �1,700,000,000, according to figures published by the Home Office in February 2006