Littlewoods - scam? (supposed awards, credit account)

rebjayal

Today I received a letter:

Congratulations! You have been awarded a sum of money to spend as you wish on Littlewoods goods.

You are guarenteed at least £15 but it could be £50, or even £1,500!

To claim, sign award claim form, return promptly blah blah....

The small print says you are agreeing to open a credit account with them, for which I'm guessing they will do a credit check.

I'm guessing this is a bad idea, the award will be minimal, and they'll get it back in charges anyway.

Anyone actually returned the form? Thoughts?

hpa423

Don't think its a scam as such, Littlewoods and the like normally offer incentives for opening an account, but I would think its likely to be £15. I have a Littlewoods account and as long as you take the payment options under 52 weeks then its generally all interest free, and you do get free delivery - not bad but the downside is you probably pay a bit over the odds for stuff!

foreversomeday

I got this letter today too - I won't be returning it as I imagine I'd probably get a load of junk mail and I never shop at Littlewoods anyway.

I think it would be fine if you never used the card (or always paid off in full) and didn't mind the junk mail but as the other poster said it's likely only to be £15. Still that's not bad if you shop there!

helwarren

I got the same letter but inviting me to get great universal catalogue - allready a littlewoods customer. Must admit I though it was a bit dodgy at first.

fuzzybear01

I worked at a call centre for Kays/Great Universal/Marshall Ward/Choice for 3 years and only once dealth with a customer who had been awarded £1500 credit for entering a competition

sparklygemster

I got this letter yesterday, even though i already have an account with them

Cortone

I'd be very wary about this. I have an account with Littlewoods listed on my credit history, even though I have never bought from them. The only thing I can think of is that I ticked a box to enter a competition, or receive a catalogue or something, with this (or a similar) offer.

This account was not used (I never bought anything from them) but I certainly did not believe that I had opened a credit account. It shows this, but I just don't like the way it appears to show that I applied for credit, when I really was not interested in this.

Now, I just through these mailings in the bin

Typo

My missis just received a letter from Littlewoods Direct entitled "New account confirmation - plus your personalised Credit Agreement for signing and returning", going on to say "We're pleased to tell you that your new Littlewoods Direct Account has now been set up..."

She swears she knows nothing about it. Well, one of them is wrong. I'm waiting for her to call them about it & see what's what.

I guess it's already gone on her credit record as an application.

Can it really be that in time of recession & credit crunch, you can simply tick (or leave) a box on some online survery/competition/whatever and accidentally RECEIVE a line of credit. In Littlewoods' case it doesn't surprise me... You'd have to be from another planet to accept & use credit at "typical 39.7% APR".

montymud

Its definatley not a scam - my friend got £15 a couple of weeks ago.

TYPO: Littlewoods are RENOUND for finding peoples details and doing this to them. Kays did it to me.If she says she knows nothing then there you go - why are you doubting her?

Typo

>>why are you doubting her?

I'm not. "One of is them wrong" is tongue in cheek. I know who I believe the most of course.

I'd be interested to follow this up with Littlewoods. We're going to ask for written proof of the request to open an account. As it's the kind of thing that can adversely affect a credit report, we don't really want it happening while we're planning to get a new mortgage together. We don't want it happening at all.

montymud

i tottaly agree - when we looked into getting a mortgage our advisor said don't apply for any credit at all so I definatley see why you are annoyed - i would be!! these companies are terrible, they find your details and give you a credit account in the hope that you'll opt for paying interest!! Hope you get it sorted!