News

**MSE Lawrence** · 13-07-2009, 3:34 PM

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "Warning! Don't believe imposters working for “Martin Lewis” at Spanish airports!" Blog.

Click reply to discuss below.

strange · 13-07-2009, 4:58 PM

I saw a car in Sheffield (UK) that had Martin's face on it, very large.
It crossed my mind to wonder if Martin was aware and I doubted that he had sanctioned it. I forgot about it until I read this blog.

Strange

**MSE Martin** · 13-07-2009, 5:58 PM

Hi Strange

If you see it can you get the number advertised or any details. I most certainly have never given permission for that.

Martin

Col_in_LB · 14-07-2009, 1:08 AM

They know you're out the country & have your home address in the UK - do I need to spell it out?!

Flickering Ember · 14-07-2009, 8:07 AM

Seems like an awful lot of effort to go to just to collect email addresses to (I assume sell for) spamming....There must be something more to it than that....

Kylie · 14-07-2009, 11:55 AM

I thought this was going to end very badly... like being distracted with Tshirts and lipstick= another person stealing all your bags... asking for address= someone taking everything from your house while you are on holiday...

spook · 14-07-2009, 2:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSE Martin

Hi Strange

If you see it can you get the number advertised or any details. I most certainly have never given permission for that.

Martin

I've seen it too - it's on a car belonging to an independent mortgage advice company - Alexandra Associates. They have a photo of Martin next to a quote from him recommending independent mortgage advice. From what I recall it was worded so that it DIDN'T look like an actual endorsement of the firm by Martin or MSE.

I've often noticed the car parked on a street near to their Hillsborough branch. Turns out it was there the day Google visited... but unfortunately the image is a bit blurry.

johncrowther · 14-07-2009, 4:54 PM

Great work Spook!

mattytun · 14-07-2009, 6:36 PM

it might help at the airports if you can get there picture as well most people have mobile phones...

every little helps to catch the crooks.

jd87 · 15-07-2009, 2:05 AM

Will be flying into Malaga next week. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out.

BeardyBloke · 15-07-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spook

I've often noticed the car parked on a street near to their Hillsborough branch. Turns out it was there the day Google visited... but unfortunately the image is a bit blurry.

I love Google, but it sure is scary how much info you can drag up on people through it!

strange · 15-07-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spook

I've seen it too - it's on a car belonging to an independent mortgage advice company - Alexandra Associates. They have a photo of Martin next to a quote from him recommending independent mortgage advice. From what I recall it was worded so that it DIDN'T look like an actual endorsement of the firm by Martin or MSE.

I've often noticed the car parked on a street near to their Hillsborough branch. Turns out it was there the day Google visited... but unfortunately the image is a bit blurry.

Yes - that was the one. Alexandra. Tried to remember it but failed. It was a black car with a big gold (ish) picture. I expect Martin has copyright or similar on his image or likeness that makes this a no-no.

Str

JMGD · 15-07-2009, 11:18 AM

Just a suggestion - if these people are operating at the airport unchecked and without authorisation, what about ringing up the Spanish airports authority (aena dot es) or the airports themselves to check if they know anything and if they could keep an eye out? I'd imagine that's what anybody would do if it happened at a UK airport.

Incidentally and off topic, caught the start of Holiday Homes from Hell on ITV last night, a programme I don't watch regularly, and I was a bit miffed that at no point nobody from the Spanish authorities mentioned by the victims were interviewed, for the sake of journalistic balance. I doubt they did later in the programme, but I switched over to C4's Property Snakes & Ladders.

PS - As a new user (and long time lurker) the system doesn't allow me to post links, that's why I had to spell it out.

spook · 15-07-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strange

Yes - that was the one. Alexandra. Tried to remember it but failed. It was a black car with a big gold (ish) picture. I expect Martin has copyright or similar on his image or likeness that makes this a no-no.

Str

Went past today though and the branch is now called 'sheff-lets' and is a lettings agency, so they may have gone. Didn't see the car.

SiuLoong · 15-07-2009, 12:15 PM

Was approached by these people (I think) a few weeks ago at Alicante airport, it was on the way home though and past check in so they must be allowed by the airport otherwise they couldn't be in that area. No mention of Martin Lewis however but they did ask about PPI/loans /credit cards etc.. I just carried on walking and as he followed said quickly as I've done before - no loans, no PPI, pay off CC every month and no mortgage.. he quickly lost interest!

kat750 · 15-07-2009, 12:23 PM

Identical thing happened to us at Malaga airport on Saturday 4th July, definitely sounds like the same woman and Martin Lewis was mentioned. Can't really add anything other than she did take my address and email address, but I have not heard anything since. Unlikely to be sussing out who is away from home as it is in the departure area so we were home in a few hours!
This area is obviously beyond security so they must be cleared by the airport authorities...

Col_in_LB · 15-07-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kat750

Unlikely to be sussing out who is away from home as it is in the departure area so we were home in a few hours!

Not wanting to sound like a miserable git, or spoilsport, however it only takes one phone call to a bad person in the right place. That's why I don't even attach the bag tags which tour ops supply for package hols to my luggage.

kat750 · 15-07-2009, 2:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col_in_LB

Not wanting to sound like a miserable git, or spoilsport, however it only takes one phone call to a bad person in the right place. That's why I don't even attach the bag tags which tour ops supply for package hols to my luggage.

Fair comment

Not giving out your address whilst away is not bad advice at all!

Anyway, pleased to say we were not burgled...

KevinTC · 16-07-2009, 2:47 AM

I never thought that my old email address with hotmail that was hacked and now I can't even get in to would be useful but any suspicious marketing gets that email address and my postage address. If they want to contact me my snail mail usually works. So far not one of the "market researchers" has written to me this year...

anniec · 17-07-2009, 7:18 PM

We were approached in Malaga airport departure lounge on 7th July by a "charming" young man who introduced himself to us as doing market research. He began the chat with "do you know who Martin Lewis is?" and prcedded to ask about mis-selling of PPI. He did ask for a contact e-mail.