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uk Money & financial emergencies identity documents used for credit • credit application made in my name • loan applied for without me • credit card opened without me • application fraud on credit file • identity theft affecting credit • impersonation for finance • unexpected credit search uk • new account i don’t recognise • passport details used for credit • driving licence details misused • lender letter i didn’t apply • debt collection for unknown debt • credit report wrong address • personal details used to borrow • fraud using my id documents • someone used my documents • credit declined due to fraud

What to do if…
you discover your identity documents were used to apply for credit

Short answer

Stop more credit being taken out: contact the lender’s fraud team to stop the application/account, check your credit files with all three UK credit reference agencies, and make a formal fraud report so you have a reference number you can reuse.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t pay, “settle”, or agree to a repayment plan for a credit application/account you didn’t make “just to make it go away”.
  • Don’t click links or call numbers from unexpected emails/texts about the credit application—use official websites you type in yourself.
  • Don’t send photos/scans of your ID to someone who contacted you first unless you’ve verified you’re speaking to the real lender’s fraud team (and use their secure upload/postal process if offered).
  • Don’t apply for more credit “to check” or to cover the problem—extra applications can muddy the record.
  • Don’t bin letters/envelopes or delete messages about the application—keep them.

What to do now

  1. Capture the basics (2–3 minutes).
    Write down: lender name, date you found out, any application/account/reference numbers, and what alerted you (letter, email, credit report entry). Keep screenshots/letters together.

  2. Contact the lender’s fraud team and stop the application/account.
    Find contact details by typing the lender’s website address yourself. Say: “I did not apply for this credit. This is identity fraud.” Ask them to:

    • cancel the application / freeze the account immediately
    • confirm in writing what they’ve done
    • give you a case reference number
    • tell you exactly how they will remove or mark any related credit search/account entry as fraud (and what they need from you)

  3. Check your credit file with all three UK credit reference agencies (CRAs).
    Get your statutory credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion (they can differ). Look for:

    • unfamiliar “hard searches” / credit applications
    • new accounts you didn’t open
    • new addresses, linked names, or financial associations
      If you spot anything: dispute with the lender and also raise a dispute with the CRA showing it. Keep a simple log (date, who, outcome).

  4. Make a formal fraud report and save the reference number.

    • In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, report it via the national police fraud reporting service (online) or by phone on 0300 123 2040.
    • In Scotland, report it to Police Scotland via 101 (non-emergency).
      Record the reference number you’re given. Lenders/CRAs often ask for it when marking entries as fraud.

  5. Add an “extra check” to reduce repeat applications.
    Consider Cifas Protective Registration if you believe your details are being used or are likely to be used again. It prompts extra identity checks when someone applies for credit in your name (it can also slow your genuine applications).

  6. Check for “address capture” problems and secure your post.
    If your credit file shows an address you don’t recognise (or you stop receiving expected post), treat it as urgent:

    • tell the lender(s) and CRA(s) immediately as part of your dispute
    • make sure your own address details are correct everywhere you bank/borrow
    • if you suspect mail is being intercepted or redirected, contact Royal Mail to check whether anything is set up in your name

  7. Only cancel/replace identity documents if they are lost/stolen/damaged.
    If a passport or driving licence is actually missing, report it as lost/stolen and replace it through the official process. If the document is still in your possession but the details were copied, focus on stopping credit, disputing entries, and adding extra checks (steps 2–6).

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 you contact the lender, check all three CRAs, and make 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 common form of fraud, and feeling shaken, angry, or embarrassed is a normal reaction. The goal right now is practical: stop new applications, create a clear paper trail, and get fraudulent entries corrected so you’re not carrying someone else’s activity.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Resolving disputes and cleaning your credit file can take follow-up, especially if there were multiple applications or multiple lenders involved.

Important note

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

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