For Peter, a 44-year-old man originally from Birmingham, that story comes with enormous hurdles. Today he lives with the dreadful effects of this identity theft which has wreaked havoc on his finances. Last year, Peter was put through a truly horrifying experience. He was savagely attacked, and his bank cards, driving licence and phone were taken from him. In the time since, fraudsters have made a mockery of his identity, causing large debts to be incurred and stopping all of his benefit payments.
Peter, a college freshman, has ADHD and epilepsy. He filed a complaint because someone had used his bank account as the target in a snowstorm, machine-gun like, of online payments. He expressed deep frustration regarding the situation, stating, “They say they’ll help, but they never do. The number of letters I’ve written is unbelievable.” The emotional burden of these events has weighed heavily not just on Peter, but on his mom, Carol.
Carol has fought for nearly 20 years for her son, appealing to Birmingham City Council adult social care services. She painted a dreadful picture of the situation they are living in and how it has affected Peter’s mental health, making him scared to leave his flat. The emotional impact of this fight has severely affected her health. She continues to fight through the maze of a system to get assistance for Peter. “I’ve written to everybody, but nobody wants to help,” she lamented.
Besides the financial implications of identity theft, scammers have tried to take over Peter’s housing benefits too. The ordeal has left Peter in an incredibly vulnerable state, still fearing that he could be further exploited at any time. Carol knows that respecting Peter’s autonomy and independence in a healthy, stable, and supportive environment is necessary for his well-being. She’s still resolute to see her son get the help he needs.
Birmingham City Council understands the issues that Peter is currently dealing with. They’re dedicated to serving him when it comes to making physical repairs and addressing his bigger challenges. A spokesperson stated, “A good home is vital for people to live a healthy life, and we’ll continue to support Peter with these repairs and any other wider issues.”
West Midlands Police told the BBC that the fraud allegations are presently under investigation by Action Fraud. Even with this promise of future protection, Peter is still suffering the consequences of the hacking and identity theft. He remarked on his physical state, saying, “I’m still getting bitten and I’ve got scars all over my body,” highlighting the lasting impact both mentally and physically from his experiences.
