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What to do if…
you discover someone has used your identity to apply for credit or open accounts

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Contact the lender’s fraud team using trusted contact details, tell them you did not apply, and ask them to stop the application or freeze the account. Then check your credit files with the three main UK credit reference agencies and make a fraud report so you have a reference number.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t pay, settle, or agree to a repayment plan for a credit application or account you did not make just to make it go away.
  • Don’t click links or call numbers from unexpected emails or texts about the credit application; use official websites you type in yourself.
  • Don’t send photos or scans of your ID to someone who contacted you first unless you have verified that you are speaking to the real lender’s fraud team and you are using its secure process.
  • Don’t apply for more credit to check what happens or to cover the problem; extra applications can make the record harder to untangle.
  • Don’t bin letters, envelopes, emails, texts, or screenshots about the application; keep them together.

What to do now

  1. Capture the basics.
    Write down the lender name, the date you found out, any application, account, or reference numbers, and what alerted you, such as a letter, email, debt message, or credit report entry. Keep screenshots and letters together.

  2. Contact the lender’s fraud team and stop the application or account.
    Find contact details by typing the lender’s website address yourself. Say: “I did not apply for this credit. I believe my identity documents have been used fraudulently.” Ask them to:

    • cancel the application or freeze the account while they investigate
    • confirm in writing what they have done
    • give you a case reference number
    • tell you what they need from you to remove or correct any related credit search, account, address, or debt entry

  3. Check your credit file with the three main UK credit reference agencies.
    Get your statutory credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion because entries can differ. Look for:

    • hard searches or credit applications you do not recognise
    • new accounts you did not open
    • addresses, linked names, or financial associations you do not recognise If you find anything, dispute it with the lender and also raise a dispute with the credit reference agency showing it. Keep a simple log of dates, names, reference numbers, and outcomes.

  4. Make a fraud report and save the reference number.
    In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, report it to Report Fraud online or by phone on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report identity theft or fraud to Police Scotland online, by phone on 101, or in person. Ask for, or save, the reference number because lenders and credit reference agencies may ask for it.

  5. Add an extra check if your details may be used again.
    Consider Cifas Protective Registration if you believe your details are being used, or are likely to be used, for more applications. It tells participating organisations to carry out extra identity checks when your details are used to apply for products or services. It can also slow down genuine applications you make.

  6. Check for address or post problems.
    If your credit file shows an address you do not recognise, or you stop receiving expected post, treat that as part of the fraud problem:

    • tell the lender and credit reference agency immediately
    • check that your correct address is listed with your bank, card providers, lenders, and mobile provider
    • if you suspect mail is being intercepted or redirected, contact Royal Mail using details from its official website

  7. Only cancel or replace identity documents if they are missing, stolen, damaged, or destroyed.
    If your passport is lost or stolen, cancel it through GOV.UK. If your driving licence is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, use the official GOV.UK replacement process. If the document is still in your possession but the details were copied, focus first on stopping credit, disputing entries, reporting the fraud, and adding extra checks.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to buy ongoing credit monitoring or other paid services.
  • You do not need a perfect timeline before contacting the lender, checking your credit files, and making a fraud report.
  • You do not need to confront anyone you suspect. Prioritise stopping the financial harm and correcting records.

Important reassurance

This is a recognised form of fraud, and feeling shaken, angry, or embarrassed is understandable. The priority now is practical: stop new applications, create a clear paper trail, and get fraudulent entries corrected.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Resolving disputes and cleaning your credit file can take follow-up, especially if there were multiple applications, lenders, addresses, or debt collectors involved. Later decisions may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or professional advice. Processes vary by lender and UK jurisdiction and can change. If you feel pressured by debt collection or you are unsure a contact is genuine, pause and re-contact the organisation using trusted details from its official website before agreeing to anything.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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