IDENTITY theft has risen at an alarming rate since consumers no longer have to lose their identity document to be defrauded.
Marcus Mufamadi, who is currently based at the Tel-Aviv Embassy, cannot buy a house until his name has been cleared by the credit bureau.
Mufamadi claims that he has not lost his identity document but someone used his name to buy cookware on credit from Home Choice.
He wanted to buy a house but discovered to his utter shock that he was blacklisted for goods he never purchased.
He once bought linen from Home Choice, but he claims he paid that debt off in 1990.
"That was the last time I bought anything from them," said Mufamadi.
Ten years later, three months after he had taken occupation in Israel, Home Choice listed him as a bad payer. He said it was through his estate agent that he discovered the "bad news".
Home Choice later gave him a delivery address he does not know and date of delivery that showed the purchase was done in his name.
He said though he provided Home Choice with proof that they had been defrauded it had done nothing to clear his name.
"I believe it's an inside job and I should not suffer because of their internal fraudulent activities," said Mufamadi.
Viona Clarke of Home Choice said they were investigating Mufamadi's compliant.
She said it normally takes two weeks for their fraud unit to clear wrongful blacklisting, but could not do so in Mufamadi's case because they had a backlog since September last year.But she undertook to get his name cleared by February.
Protect yourself from fraud:
* The identity document is one of the most important documents, and it should be looked after at all times. If you lose your identity document, driver's licence or passport, you must immediately go to your nearest police station and report the theft and get a case number.
* Always keep your ID, passport and drivers licence in a safe place.
* Be wary of disclosing personal information. First find out how it will be used and if the information will be kept confidential.
* When you are requested to fill in personal details on documents, ensure that the company you are dealing with is legitimate.
* Check if someone claiming to be a company representative does indeed work at the company in question.
* Keep a record of your accounts and follow up if they do not arrive on time.
* If you move to a new place of residence, change your address on your accounts without delay.
* Do not use predictable passwords such as your date of birth or telephone number on your bank accounts.
* Carry only the amount of information that you will need in your handbag.
* Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the post or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you are dealing with.
* Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Tear or shred documents such as credit applications, bank statements and receipts.
* If you have service work done at your home or employ outside help, do not leave personal information lying around.
* If you live with roommates, ensure that your personal information is kept in a safe place.
* If you have been the victim of ID theft, you may be affected negatively and it could have a negative impact on your good name.
* Protect you identity by contacting the SA Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) on their hotline 086-010-1248 or visit their website on www.safps.org.za and ask them to register your case.
You will then be given a protective registration number to quote when applying for credit in future. You could also consult a representative at any branch of the country's major banks.
SAFPS is a company committed to combating fraud across the financial services industry by providing a shared database to member organisations and offering the South African public a means of protecting themselves against impersonation and identity theft.
* Consumers can also call the office of the Credit Ombudsman.
The Credit Ombuds resolves complaints from consumers and businesses that are negatively impacted by credit bureau information or when a consumer has a dispute with a credit provider, debt counsellor or payment distribution agent.
The ombudsman can negotiate a settlement or make a ruling.
The ombudsman's decision is binding on the credit grantor and/or the credit bureau.
The consumer can escalate the complaint to the National Credit Regulator if dissatisfied with the outcome.
Contact details:
Website: www.creditombud.org.za
E-mail: ombud@creditombud.org.za
Call Centre: 0861 OMBUDS (086-166-2837)
Fax: 086-683-4644
Identity theft continues to ruin lives of many consumers
IDENTITY theft has risen at an alarming rate since consumers no longer have to lose their identity document to be defrauded.
Marcus Mufamadi, who is currently based at the Tel-Aviv Embassy, cannot buy a house until his name has been cleared by the credit bureau.
Mufamadi claims that he has not lost his identity document but someone used his name to buy cookware on credit from Home Choice.
He wanted to buy a house but discovered to his utter shock that he was blacklisted for goods he never purchased.
He once bought linen from Home Choice, but he claims he paid that debt off in 1990.
"That was the last time I bought anything from them," said Mufamadi.
Ten years later, three months after he had taken occupation in Israel, Home Choice listed him as a bad payer. He said it was through his estate agent that he discovered the "bad news".
Home Choice later gave him a delivery address he does not know and date of delivery that showed the purchase was done in his name.
He said though he provided Home Choice with proof that they had been defrauded it had done nothing to clear his name.
"I believe it's an inside job and I should not suffer because of their internal fraudulent activities," said Mufamadi.
Viona Clarke of Home Choice said they were investigating Mufamadi's compliant.
She said it normally takes two weeks for their fraud unit to clear wrongful blacklisting, but could not do so in Mufamadi's case because they had a backlog since September last year.But she undertook to get his name cleared by February.
Protect yourself from fraud:
* The identity document is one of the most important documents, and it should be looked after at all times. If you lose your identity document, driver's licence or passport, you must immediately go to your nearest police station and report the theft and get a case number.
* Always keep your ID, passport and drivers licence in a safe place.
* Be wary of disclosing personal information. First find out how it will be used and if the information will be kept confidential.
* When you are requested to fill in personal details on documents, ensure that the company you are dealing with is legitimate.
* Check if someone claiming to be a company representative does indeed work at the company in question.
* Keep a record of your accounts and follow up if they do not arrive on time.
* If you move to a new place of residence, change your address on your accounts without delay.
* Do not use predictable passwords such as your date of birth or telephone number on your bank accounts.
* Carry only the amount of information that you will need in your handbag.
* Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the post or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you are dealing with.
* Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Tear or shred documents such as credit applications, bank statements and receipts.
* If you have service work done at your home or employ outside help, do not leave personal information lying around.
* If you live with roommates, ensure that your personal information is kept in a safe place.
* If you have been the victim of ID theft, you may be affected negatively and it could have a negative impact on your good name.
* Protect you identity by contacting the SA Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) on their hotline 086-010-1248 or visit their website on www.safps.org.za and ask them to register your case.
You will then be given a protective registration number to quote when applying for credit in future. You could also consult a representative at any branch of the country's major banks.
SAFPS is a company committed to combating fraud across the financial services industry by providing a shared database to member organisations and offering the South African public a means of protecting themselves against impersonation and identity theft.
* Consumers can also call the office of the Credit Ombudsman.
The Credit Ombuds resolves complaints from consumers and businesses that are negatively impacted by credit bureau information or when a consumer has a dispute with a credit provider, debt counsellor or payment distribution agent.
The ombudsman can negotiate a settlement or make a ruling.
The ombudsman's decision is binding on the credit grantor and/or the credit bureau.
The consumer can escalate the complaint to the National Credit Regulator if dissatisfied with the outcome.
Contact details:
Website: www.creditombud.org.za
E-mail: ombud@creditombud.org.za
Call Centre: 0861 OMBUDS (086-166-2837)
Fax: 086-683-4644
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