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Identity Theft, Scam or Paranoia?

Hi All, not sure if this is the right place to post this but it seemed like the best option... Marshall Ward have sent a letter to my house addressed to Mr L Jones confirming that shopping insurance has been set up on his credit account.

Mr L Jones does not exist, but my mother and I who both live here are both L Jones (should point out I have not used the actual name - I'm not that silly). Neither of us know anything about any credit accounts or purchases with this company.

I had never even heard of Marshall Ward before this, but I see they are a home shopping company apparently with a dubious reputation for agreeing to deliver goods somewhere other than the billing address.

So obviously the alarm bells are ringing.. Am I right to be concerned? No money has gone out of mine or mum's accounts but I I'm still worried. I've written to their Head Office to explain the situation, but wondered if there's anything else i should be doing or what position I will be in if we suddenly get a bill?

Any advice will be gratefully accepted!

Comments

  • unholyangel
    unholyangel Posts: 16,866 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 19 June 2010 at 11:05PM
    daisy23169 wrote: »
    Hi All, not sure if this is the right place to post this but it seemed like the best option... Marshall Ward have sent a letter to my house addressed to Mr L Jones confirming that shopping insurance has been set up on his credit account.

    Mr L Jones does not exist, but my mother and I who both live here are both L Jones (should point out I have not used the actual name - I'm not that silly). Neither of us know anything about any credit accounts or purchases with this company.

    I had never even heard of Marshall Ward before this, but I see they are a home shopping company apparently with a dubious reputation for agreeing to deliver goods somewhere other than the billing address.

    So obviously the alarm bells are ringing.. Am I right to be concerned? No money has gone out of mine or mum's accounts but I I'm still worried. I've written to their Head Office to explain the situation, but wondered if there's anything else i should be doing or what position I will be in if we suddenly get a bill?

    Any advice will be gratefully accepted!

    Have you contacted your bank to ask if there are any payments pending, standing orders or direct debits?

    Yourself or your mother havent been shopping any other catalogues?

    Just looked on their website and it says the following:
    Am I eligible for Shopping Insurance? Yes, if at the start date you are:
    • Aged 18 or over and under 75*
    • Living in the United Kingdom
    • A credit account holder with us

    How much will it cost me? Shopping Insurance costs 1.98% of your outstanding balance each month.
    For example, If your balance was £100 then the charge on that statement would be £1.98. For a typical
    balance of £300 you would see a charge on your statement of £5.94.
    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means - Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
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