Father forced to change name after fraudsters steal identity and rack up £10,000 in fines

Mohammed Amir Ali, 34, has been threatened by bailiffs and had his Mercedes clamped after he was wrongly issued with almost 30 parking and speeding tickets over the past 12 months.

The thieves are believed to have stolen his personal details and used them to hire cars, open bank accounts, secure credit cards, loans and state benefits, and obtain a driving licence in his name.

Mr Ali, a chef, claims he contacted police, but officers told him they were unable to help because a crime had not been committed under British law.

So far he has spent hundreds of pounds in legal fees to try to stop the fraud through the civil courts.

But now, in a desperate attempt to end his nightmare and protect his wife and five children, he is planning to change his name by deed poll and move from his home in Westwood, near Oldham, Greater Manchester.

"I work hard to support my family and we are being put through a living hell," Mr Ali said.

"I can't sleep for wondering if the bailiffs will come.

"The police said that in the law's eyes, I'm not the victim. But I risk losing everything."

According to recent statistics, identity fraud is the fastest growing crime in Britain.

Last year 80,000 people had their personal details stolen, and the Government estimates that identity theft costs the economy £1.7billion a year.

Despite this, identity theft is not strictly a crime under current UK law.

Companies or organisations are considered the main victims, while individuals are steered towards their banks, creditors and the civil courts to undo the devastating damage.

Mr Ali's ordeal began in November last year when he received a letter about a car accident in London in which he had supposedly been involved.

He telephoned the firm responsible for the correspondence to tell them he had not been to the capital and that they must have the wrong address.

But within weeks Mr Ali was being sent letters demanding payment for hire cars, parking fines and speeding tickets.

He says he has written countless letters to insurance and hire car companies, and local authorities who are demanding payment for the motoring offences, but nothing has been done.

In August he received his first visit from bailiffs claiming he owed £800 in unpaid fines and court costs.

He said: "I called the police but they said that if they had a court order I had to pay.

"I told them it was identity theft but the police said that if I didn't give them money, they would help the bailiffs get it.

"So I had to pay £444. Then another bailiff came in front of my house and clamped my car. They said I owed £300 for a parking ticket and if I didn't pay in ten minutes it would double to £600. So in the end I paid because I needed my car for work.

"I've had letters almost on a weekly basis accusing me of things I haven't done. It's been a nightmare."

Chris Mackenzie of Greater Manchester-Police said identity fraud was very difficult to deal with.

"Identity fraud is a serious and growing problem which affects all our communities," he said.

"The best way to safeguard our personal information is through strong preventive measures, whether you're shopping on-line, or throwing out your bills."