Opening a UK HSBC bank account

[gaelicwitch]

Seems that my address has been used to open a bank account that is now being used to defarud people on the internet. I thought you had to have certain items of proof of identity such as utility bills, passport, birth certificates etc before the bank would open an account? Can anyone advise what would have been needed and should I worry about identity fraud?
Many thanks

[factor-fiction]

You do. Maybe they have some got hold of some of your documents- eg intercepted your post

[boxtops]

Sounds likely - do you shred all your personal information before you put it in the bin? identity thieves look anywhere they might find such details.

[katdarn79]

I work in a building society, these days you can open an account as long as they can find enough details on you from experian. If you have a low score that is when we would request ID. On saying that though they must have all your details some how!

[pretty_snowdrop]

Was your name used or just your address?

[ubasses]

I have just been doing some business with them and I had to produce both my driving licence for address and passport for id. They would also do a voters roll search.