27/09/2008 15:46 - (SA)
Identity theft is a hijack
Nhlanhla Ncaca
WILLIAM Ngobeni was lucky enough to identify the warning signs linked to credit fraud when his “twin brother” struck.
He says it could have been worse if he had not alerted his “creditors” in time about the fraudulent activities.
Ngobeni was alleged to have bought a luxury car in December but the police, car dealership, insurance company and bank have since established he was a victim of identity theft.
The credit provider, however, is not making things easy for Ngobeni.
He recently discovered a default judgment listing against his name.
“I cannot buy on credit any more and am struggling with my cash flow. I have done everything in my power to win this battle and so far I’m losing,” he says.
Ngobeni, who lives in Soweto, decided to contact Hotline following his wrangle with Standard Bank over the unsettled debt.
Ngobeni received an SMS in January confirming a debit order of R3 000 had been paid.
He immediately contacted the nearest Standard Bank branch and requested a statement. It reflected an insurance premium payment.
He contacted the insurance company and a consultant claimed Ngobeni had taken out insurance cover after buying an Audi TT 2.0T FSI roadster.
The insurance company said the car was bought from a car dealership in KwaZulu-Natal in December.
Ngobeni contacted the dealers in Pinetown and their records reflected that he had entered into an agreement with them.
Standard Bank financed the car for R709 842 and the fraudulent debtor had agreed to make monthly repayments of R11 888 over 59 months.
Ngobeni said he reported the matter to the local police, who investigated the case and a suspect was subsequently arrested.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini confirmed that the police had investigated a case of fraud and that a suspect had been arrested.
Following the fraudster’s arrest, Ngobeni submitted affidavits to the insurance company, car dealership and Standard Bank stating he was not responsible for the transaction.
The insurance company has since reimbursed him and the dealership cancelled the agreement but Standard Bank has failed to clear his name.
“Standard Bank seems to be providing contradictory statements. They listed me with the credit bureaus but a letter in my possession clearly states the transaction was fraudulent.
“I must stress that I am grateful to the police for their quick reaction,” says Ngobeni.
Hotline has in its possession a letter signed by a Standard Bank manager for operational losses that partly reads: “Standard Bank discovered that the transaction was fraudulent. The person pretended to be Ngobeni but Standard Bank confirms that William Ngobeni was a victim of an identity takeover.
“Standard Bank has proof that Ngobeni did not enter into the vehicle asset finance agreement with Standard Bank.”
Standard Bank spokesperson Ross Linstrom said on Friday “the bank would like to apologise to Mr Ngobeni for all the problems and discomfort he has experienced”.
He said the bank has contacted the credit bureaus and cleared Ngobeni’ profile.
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