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is this a scam? national mail fowarding service

I recieved a letter this morning addressed to 'The Occupier'.
In big, underlined bold text it says 'National Mail Fowarding Service'
The letter looks like the following:
The Occupier
1 The Address
Somewhere
SO1 3RE

National Mail Fowarding Service


Delivery reference number :***********

We have tried to make a delivery to your address. Please can you contact Sharon Graham on 0170 7852 173 qouting your post code address to enable us to make alternative delivery arrangements.

(Please note that this letter is addressed to the Occupier for you own personal confidentiality and security ensuring the delivery is made to the correct address).

If you do not contact us within 5 days items maybe returned to the sender.

Thank you

"Ensuring fast delivery all over the world"

The one thing that could make this letter look genuine is that there is a barcode to the lower right hand corner.

I don't really want to phone the number so that I don't let the scammers (if this is a scam) achieve what they set out to do.

So anyone know if theyve had anything like this before?
«13

Comments

  • ManAtHome
    ManAtHome Posts: 8,512 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Can't find anything on Google...

    Was the letter through the mail or just dropped through the letter-box. If mailed, was it stamped or franked? Are you expecting a delivery - presumably a letter needing a signature?

    I have software somewhere for printing barcodes - you just need the right font.
  • stugib
    stugib Posts: 2,602 Forumite
    Don't know if it's any help but 01707 seems to be the Potters Bar area in Herts.

    FWIW, "Ensuring fast delivery all over the world" is a really crap tagline for a proper business! :D

    --

    p.s. if you do ring them don't forget it's not just information like your bank details scammers ask you for - just asking 'what time will you be in for us to deliver it?' might be enough for you to get some unwanted visitors. Warning you, not scaring you - I've no idea if it's genuine!
  • Is that your spelling mistake "National Mail Fowarding Service" or theirs?
    3.78 kWp PV SolarEdge with iBoost South facing.
    30° pitch roof 4% shading. Installed 6th June 18.
    Gloucester
  • Morty_007
    Morty_007 Posts: 1,496 Forumite
    Could you try ringing from a phone box so they don't get your personal number and your call is anonymous? You could ask them what it is and if they refuse to tell you or say you need to pay them to release the package you can hang up safe in the knowledge that you are untracable. You don't even have to give them your full address. They should be able to trace your "parcel" with only your name and geographical area. If you are still not sure, explain to them your worries and confront them that you think it is a scam. I have done this before and strangely, they hung up....

    Having said all that, it sounds to me like it is a scam and has some of the common features

    1. No name on the letter, simply addressed "Dear occupier"
    2. "(Please note that this letter is addressed to the Occupier for you own personal confidentiality and security ensuring the delivery is made to the correct address)" this screams "HONEST GUV" to me, Making excuses for not knowing your name. post gets delivered all over the world every day with peoples names on it without breaching anyones security or confidentiallity.
    3. It evokes "Fear of loss" (Items may be returned if you don't contact us within 5 days)...what if you were on holiday?! Most mail providers give at least 14-21 days to ensure that someone actually has time to recieve the item.
    4. Recieving this letter when you might not actually be waiting for anything, unsolicited

    Personally I would avoid like the plague but if it subsequently turns out to be a real company, let me know so I can write to them and tell them that they look like a scam through and through and they might like to change their marketing strategy!!

    JMHO
    Good Enough Club member number 27(2) AND I got me a stalkee!
    Closet debt free wannabe -[STRIKE] Last personal loan payment - July 2010[/STRIKE]:T, credit card balance about £3000 (and dropping FAST), [STRIKE]Last car payment September 2010 (August 2010 aparently!!)[/STRIKE]
    And a mortgage in a pear tree :D
  • rygon
    rygon Posts: 748 Forumite
    yeah i would say it is a scam. every parcel note ive had has the adressee on it. To the occupier seems to be a put in everyones letter box (could be worth asking neighbours if they have had the same letter)
    Worse comes to worse and it gets sent back, the person who sent it will ring you to they couldnt deliver it and you can then arrange it for another time
    Smile and be happy, things can usually get worse!
  • IvanOpinion
    IvanOpinion Posts: 22,331 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The big quesiton I would be asking is 'were you expecting something?'. Whether or not this is a scam I have absolutely no idea but similar has definitely been used. The scam is basically trying to find times when the owner says the premises will NOT be occupied

    Ivan
    Past caring about first world problems.
  • mug51
    mug51 Posts: 366 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    yesterday i was expecting something which came today. At this moment I am no longer expecting anything.

    Gave the number a ring before but it went to an answer machine wanting me to leave my name, address and phone number.
  • ooo000ooo
    ooo000ooo Posts: 577 Forumite
    Have a look at http://www.advancedcollection.co.uk/ looks like someone's trying to track you down :)
  • ooo000ooo wrote:
    Have a look at http://www.advancedcollection.co.uk/ looks like someone's trying to track you down :)


    How did you come to that conclusion?
    3.78 kWp PV SolarEdge with iBoost South facing.
    30° pitch roof 4% shading. Installed 6th June 18.
    Gloucester
  • ooo000ooo
    ooo000ooo Posts: 577 Forumite
    How did you come to that conclusion?

    Just a guess? The phone number is for that company, they specialise in collection and tracing, on their blurb they mention a "collection cycle" of letters and phone calls. I reckon the letter the OP received is bait, he contacts them, they sweet talk his name and address out of him if he's the person they're looking for then they have confirmation of his current where abouts and can then continue collecting or can report back they have traced him. :)
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