A man whose identity was used by a fraudster to obtain credit cards and loans worth thousands of pounds is urging people to be aware of the scam.

Henri Cash, 43, of Fulking, near Henfield, claims he was the victim of a fraudster who used his name, with a different address, to obtain ten credit cards and loans from more than ten finance companies during the past two years.

The suspect is also believed to have falsified an electoral registry entry so it appeared the false address was occupied by Mr Cash and his wife Alison.

The fraudster is also said to have informed several finance companies that he was moving from Mr Cash's existing address to an address in Portslade, which is an old people's flat.

It is believed companies including MBNA, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Marks & Spencer are owed thousands of pounds by the fraudster, however up until now the monthly payments have been met.

Mr Cash, director of VCM Communications in Hurstpierpoint, said: "I only found out because I was contacted by a couple who had been in a road accident with this other man. He gave out my details but when they checked his registration number it was in another person's name. His name has now been handed over to the police.

"What concerns me is not so much the person who has done this but the attitude of both the banks and the police to it.

"It looks like this person could not get credit under their own name so decided to use mine. Because he is paying off the debts, the banks seemed happy just to ignore it, as did the police.

"It is in the hands of the police now, so as far as I am concerned that is the end of the matter. However I do think people should be made aware how easy it is for someone to adopt your identity."

Mr Cash alerted the police in November.

He also contacted Brighton and Hove City Council's electoral services officer informing them of the suspected false entry on the electoral roll.

Detective Chief Inspector Reg Hooke, of Sussex Police, said: "It appears that someone has used Mr Cash's identity and that this may have happened on more than one occasion. Mr Cash has not lost out financially."