A stranger seems to have taken over our address

The reader keeps on sending back the letters, but is getting worried. Photograph: Alex Hinds/Alamy

For the last three months, we have been receiving mail addressed to a stranger. We have lived at our address for over 40 years.

They have been from the Department for Work and Pensions, the police about speeding tickets, and our local council. He’s even put his name on our water bills.

My guess is he is trying to show proof of address to get benefits. I have sent it all back explaining this person is a fraudster, even alerting Action Fraud. How can I stop our home being used for fraud?

JN, London

This is an unnerving experience. It does seem likely the stranger has used your address to validate a fake identity to claim benefits or credit. The good news is that he does not appear to have stolen your names and therefore you don’t face a trashed credit rating.

Credit reports are based on an individual, not an address, and you are not liable for any bills or fines he incurs using your address.

The bad news is there’s no simple way of stopping the flow of mail other than sending it back marked “not known at this address”.

Scratch out the barcode on the envelope in case a human eye does not read and note your message. Keep your household’s entry on the electoral register up to date so that anyone not resident is removed, and keep an eye on bank statements.

The time to worry is if unfamiliar transactions start appearing in your name. You could consider applying for protective registration with the crime prevention agency Cifas.

A warning flag against your name and address will show you are at heightened risk of identity fraud, so organisations will know to carry out extra checks to ensure they are dealing with you, not a fraudster.

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