Names and identifying details in this case study have been changed to protect our client’s privacy.

Emma had a home loan application ready to go. Then her broker found two defaults on her credit file, one from Optus and one from Vodafone, for roughly $2,000 and $3,900.

She had no idea where they came from.

Diagram of how this case was resolved: phone plans she never had, identity used by someone else, accounts were fraudulent, removed in 10 and 17 days

Someone else’s phone plans

When Emma called Optus and Vodafone, neither could even find anything in her name until she quoted a reference number from the defaults. It looked like someone had used her identity to sign up for phone plans with both companies and never paid a cent.

What shocked her most was that she’d never lost her licence or ID. Both telcos said they’d investigate. But Emma, from New South Wales, had a home loan she needed to move on, and “we’ll look into it” wasn’t fast enough.

What we did

We took on both defaults at once and pushed each telco to complete its fraud investigation properly and promptly.

Why they came off

Both telcos accepted that the accounts had been set up fraudulently. A default for a debt you never agreed to can’t stay on your file, and each telco removed its listing.

The result

The first default was removed 10 days after we started. The second came off 17 days after we started. With both gone, Emma could confidently apply for her home loan.

What this means for you

Identity fraud doesn’t always need a stolen wallet. Your details can leak in plenty of other ways. If you find accounts you didn’t open, act quickly: contact the providers, consider a credit ban with Equifax and Experian, and get help to have the listings removed. Our credit repair lawyers deal with fraud listings regularly.

This is a past matter. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect our client’s privacy.

Results depend on individual circumstances. Every credit file is different, and a past result doesn’t guarantee the outcome of your matter. This case study is general information, not legal advice.

Don’t spend another month stuck in Credit Prison. Call our credit repair lawyers on 1300 667 218 or book a 15-minute intro call at https://mycralawyers.com.au/15min-credit-repair-intro-call/ . If we think your chances are low, we’ll tell you straight.

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