Lost My Birth Certificate - Very Worried

covlad · 28-05-2008, 23:15

I was in My Town Centre today going to a job interview in the afternoon, now i had a job folder in my hand and unfortunately my birth certificate must have fell out because i checked it and it gone

Now i'm worried about possible ID Theft - I don't have any credit cards at all, and the only access to money is via my bank card.

I'm planning to go to the registar office to buy a new 1, now is this is a good idea and should i do more checks i.e. bank police etc

Am i worrying about nothing too?

If anyone has lost their birth certificate like this then reply

mouqeet · 28-05-2008, 23:28

I have and they've said lots of people have lost theres and and people who find them are selling em like in bristol somalian people sell them for Ã‚Â£1000

have you reported the police

covlad · 28-05-2008, 23:41

no - have not reported it to the police is it worth doing? Like i say i'm going to the registar office tomorrow and getting a new one anyway so is it worth worrying about?

As long as my bank accounts are ok i'll feel relieved

joglynne · 28-05-2008, 23:56

If you report it to the police it may help your case if the certificate is used by a third party in the future and it's always possible the the police may have had it handed in so it's worth contacting them for that reason alone.

covlad · 29-05-2008, 00:25

joglynne, you raise some excellent points however in all honesty i don't want to go through the hassle with the police etc..

I have got a form from the registar office from town which i will complete and hand in, i feel that'll be easier for me.

Like i said before though, as long as my bank accounts are all safe i'm not going to get too concerned

danielf · 29-05-2008, 00:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by covlad

joglynne, you raise some excellent points however in all honesty i don't want to go through the hassle with the police etc..

I have got a form from the registar office from town which i will complete and hand in, i feel that'll be easier for me.

Like i said before though, as long as my bank accounts are all safe i'm not going to get too concerned

I think Joglynne raises a very valid point. If you become the victim of identity theft in the (near) future, it could help your case immensely if you can point to the fact that you reported the loss of your birth certificate. You can probably report it over the phone. They will give you a crime reference number (and send you a letter with the number).

BTW: Identity theft does not (just) involve people getting into your bank accounts. They can do worse things. Like taking out loans in your name. They would (at the very least) need your address as well though.

**Maggy J** · 29-05-2008, 01:11

Did you lose the certificate before or after the interview?

frogstamper · 29-05-2008, 03:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

I think Joglynne raises a very valid point. If you become the victim of identity theft in the (near) future, it could help your case immensely if you can point to the fact that you reported the loss of your birth certificate. You can probably report it over the phone. They will give you a crime reference number (and send you a letter with the number).

BTW: Identity theft does not (just) involve people getting into your bank accounts. They can do worse things. Like taking out loans in your name. They would (at the very least) need your address as well though.

I second and third

what Lynne and Daniel have said, for the sake of a phone call you are saving yourself a hell of a lot of grief should your BC fall into the wrong hands. Imagine this does happen, the police come round to talk to you and ask why you didn't report the loss of an official document with your personal details on it

. At worse they "might" think somethings fishy and at best you come out of it feeling a wally for not reporting it! Go on covlad, do yourself a favour and make the call.

v0id · 29-05-2008, 03:38

why would you neeed to take your birth certificate to a job interview? :/

frogstamper · 29-05-2008, 03:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

why would you neeed to take your birth certificate to a job interview? :/

Maybe proof of identity, if he didn't have a passport or drivers license, other than that I don't have a clue, does seem strange though.

29-05-2008, 05:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

why would you neeed to take your birth certificate to a job interview? :/

You have to nowdays, the interviews I've been to needed to see a birth certificate, driving licence etc etc.

WHISTLED · 29-05-2008, 08:00

Asylum and Immigration act requires proof of ID from a small list of documents - Massive fines for cmpanies who cannot provide this for employees (last 5ish years)

If your worried about ID fraud register with Equifax or Experian, its worth most people doing it anyway to be honest.

covlad · 29-05-2008, 09:09

Fair enough, many thanks for all the replies but i just have a horrible feeling if i report this to the police. They would most likely have an attitude where they 'wouldn't care' etc...

or am i being too naive?

danielf · 29-05-2008, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by covlad

Fair enough, many thanks for all the replies but i just have a horrible feeling if i report this to the police. They would most likely have an attitude where they 'wouldn't care' etc...

or am i being too naive?

I don't know if naive is the right word. It's their job to deal with this, and I would expect them to be courteous, polite and professional. If they ask why you find it necessary to report it stolen, just outline the reasons quoted above.

WHISTLED · 29-05-2008, 09:55

They will report it as lost that will mean if its found its returned to you - I would like to think they would do that anyway with a birth certificate.

You cant report it stolen as you have no knowledge of a theft taking place.