Help!!!LONDON MINT COMPANY SCAM

thenudeone

consuma wrote: »

Update

Hi everybody. Just to let you know I have heard nothing more from London Mint Office. This is not ideal, as the debt may still be outstanding against my name and affect my future credit rating.

It's very likely that your rating is affected as they were not selling items on credit, so would have no need to use or report information to a CRA. If they were successful in obtaining a CCJ against you, that would affect your rating very badly.

Why not get a £2 statutory credit report just be be sure?

Lloydy68

I feel that I must in a way stick up for The London Mint Office, I am a satisfied customer for a couple of years, and although their customer service does leave a lot to be desired they are not scammers.
Yes they send you a cheap coin, and when you apply they tell you before hand that further coins will be sent on approval, if you do not read this then nobody can be blamed but yourselves, the same can be said if you return a coin and don't get proof of postage, especially if the coin is £100's.

And they do not portray themselves as the Royal Mint, some people have just assumed this. they are a conglomeration of several companies round the world which Mint special collectables.

Lloydy68

alistair.long wrote: »

Try this for size.

Each coin has a value, add up all the value you owe them and write a check.
If they sent you a 1p then give them a 1p check.
if the olympics coin was 50p then give them 50p.
Tell them that you are paying "without prejudice" in a letter with all the checks, or 1 check with the total.
and send it recorded delivery.

That only works if the coins are current circulation

Monster_Montoya

After a few months break, they've sent a different debt collector on me.

Once again I have to take the time to write and send letters out (recorded delivery) stating the Royal Mail reference numbers of all the previous communications to try and get them off my back.

It never ends!

(by the way, to the previous poster the problem is not that they send out more coins as an invitation to buy, the issue is that they don't acknowledge that they have been sent back. I refuse to believe that all of these people have had their packages go 'lost' in the post. There's too many people in the same situation; no smoke without fire - something is suspect.)

wsayers

I think you are all forgetting one thing and that is The London Mint Office request that all you need do is return the coin and make sure you obtain a Proof of Posting. If this is not enough then surely they are complicit in suggesting that the individual returns the coin in such a manner.

Monster_Montoya

wsayers wrote: »

I think you are all forgetting one thing and that is The London Mint Office request that all you need do is return the coin and make sure you obtain a Proof of Posting. If this is not enough then surely they are complicit in suggesting that the individual returns the coin in such a manner.

Yep, that is what I (and others I'm sure) have done. Sent back their coin using their supplied envelope as requested (freepost) and also obtained proof of postage. Then later (when harrassed) have also sent the proof of postage to them (recorded post) which they have received.

They still chase via debt collectors, and don't seem to acknowledged anything I have sent them in writing.

Not that concerned by all this anymore anyway (I was at first). The longer its gone on the more obvious it has been that it's all just a big scare tactic.

LMOs_biggest_fan

Anyone had a similar problem?.... but before I start I need to say... LMO and HL Solicitors together - oh boy.....what a bunch!
In my case I don't even know why I received the first coin LMO sent me (a Britannia Penny). I didn't register with them ever or ask them to send it to me. Has anyone seen their TV ads?..... my run-in with them carries on and now I've let Trading Standards know what's going on because I'm sick of it. As I couldn't (for this read "can't) get LMO to actually tell me how they got hold of my details in the first place, I was very interested to check-out rumours I'd heard about what happens when you ring-up to enter one of LMO's TV advertised "competitions" which sucks you in with promises of free golden treasure.......they ask you for your name, address and telephone number - that's it..... nothing else. Their security's non-existant and seemingly completely open to abuse. Almost tempted to register as Elvis and see if they tried it - too tired tho'. These guys are nbg. I had read on a forum somewhere during my endless hours of research about this lot since August 2011 , that anyone could ring up the advertised number giving your basic contact details and claim to be you and, before you know it, you end-up with an account kindly opened on your behalf by LMO,a mounting bill and a whole series of "precious" coins dropping onto your doormat because YOU WON!. I'm now pretty sure this is how I've become "a victim" but at least they haven't got my payment details so suppose I should be relieved. I don't know who's had done this at my expense - don't suppose I ever will - but it actually does seem to be the case that this can happen (If you're out there - thanks very much - you've helped me learn a good deal about consumer law since last August). LMO definitely didn't contact me to verify I was the right person or if I actually wanted the initial coin before it popped through the letter-box. Not so easy to stop them once they get going either.... Definitely don't fall for the TV adds and watch out for this one. And definitely don't talk to them once you click that you're getting nowhere with your complaint. Everything in writing by special delivery and same goes for HL Solicitors who don't seem to have learnt about consumer protection legislation. They'll not get a penny out of me....... but they've both received plenty of advice on how to improve their customer service procedures........not that they'll read it, of course..... anyone else had this problem too? Next stop is ASA so please shout-up if you think this has happened to you too.

msconcerned

I'm appalled at what's happening now: just Google 1933 Double Eagle Tour to see what's happening next

loz30308

I Have just sent The London Mint Co Solicitors this address - Disgusting company ...HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM




BY FAX/RECORDED DELIVERY



H L Solicitors
Prospect Hill Redditch
B97 4DL

14th March 2012

Dear Sir/Madam
Account XXXXX
Further to your letter of the 7 March inst., and your claims that I have ignored any requests for payment from The London Mint Office, and also that I have not given any reason for a dispute against this account.
In February 2011 I rang the London Mint Office. I wanted advice with regard to either the purchase of gold sovereigns, or gold bullion. My enquiry being; in their opinion would coins or bullion be the better option to collect for a financial return.
The call was quite lengthy and during it the gentleman advised me that; on the off chance I rang again with a view to actually purchasing sovereigns, to ensure that the call was brief, it would be best if he took my name and address and he would set up an account. I would then immediately be put through to the correct department in the event that I telephoned.
During the telephone conversation the gentleman also informed me that London Mint were offering George V gold sovereigns, and a new collection was about to go out to their existing clients. I reiterated; the reason for my call at that time was purely for advice. I informed him I would not be interested in any coins. I asked him on approximately three occasions NOT to send me the sovereign, and I was very clear about this.
On the 21st March 2011 I received in the ‘normal’ post a George V Gold Sovereign. The package was not sent recorded delivery/registered post. Had it of been, realising it was from the London Mint, and because I hadn’t ordered anything, I would have refused a signature and had the Post Office ‘return to sender’. I was not given that option. In fact, the gold sovereign packaging being that big it was left protruding half out of my letter box. Indeed anyone could have taken it.
The sovereign came with an invoice, a pair of white gloves, and a letter informing me that I had seven days to return it. It did NOT contain a return address label, and as per instructions contained within the letter anyone requiring such was to telephone the company and request one. The letter also intimated that should the coin not be wanted, then if it was not returned within seven days The London Mint where not obliged to receive it back, but would probably consider purchasing it, though at a reduced rate than it had originally been sold for.
The postal address on the letter was; The London Mint office, freepost RSJB-GYZL-SHTG, London, ECAY 8DP. So, with all surety it would have been impossible to return the sovereign independently and via registered/signed for Royal Mail post, as I was not sure for my own security whether anyone would have been there to sign for it, or accept it. Considering I was dealing with a Gold Sovereign of substantial value, I wanted to be very sure the coin reached its’ correct destination, and I wanted a signature for my own proof of posting.
On the 22nd March I rang the company. I eventually got through to the gentleman with whom I’d had the original conversation (I assume he was on commission), and who had sent me the coin. He admitted that he should not have sent the coin to me, and having listened to the recorded telephone conversation agreed I had made it very clear I did not want the goods. He informed me he would send a ‘return address’ label. As at today’s date the address label has still not reached my address?
On the same day I also rang Trading Standards. They advised me not to wait for the address label as they felt it would not arrive within the seven day period. Their advice to me was to send a letter to the company forthwith (please see enclosed) which I duly did.
I’m assuming that the letter did in fact reach the London Mint Office because as at today’s date I haven’t received any further coins from this large sovereign collection?
So to summarise; on the 21st March 2011 I did receive a gold sovereign that I did not want, nor had I ordered. It was not an error; it was intended for me as per the accompanying invoice. I had seven days only to return it. I was unable to send it back because I did not have a full postal address. I rang the company requesting a ‘return’ label, it did not arrive. I sent a letter that they did receive and responded to in not sending further coins to my address, but ignored insofar as collecting the coin. If I had paid for the sovereign I would have entered in to a contract that I was basically being forced in to, and more so, further coins would have been sent through the post, that would have amassed to a large collection. A credit check was conducted on me without my express permission nor authorisation.
Is your client aware of the ‘unsolicited goods act’? (I enclose a copy for their attention). Is your client also aware that it is a criminal offence to pursue payment, threaten legal proceedings, put a person’s name on a list of debtors or threaten to do so, in the event that unsolicited goods have been sent? Is your client further aware of the ‘Data Protection Act and Privacy Laws’? In and with regard to the obtaining of credit information on people/persons without their express permission, nor written consent?
The distress that this has caused me is terrible, let alone the time it has taken to collate all this information. I consider what they are now doing as harassment, and I will be looking to receive financial compensation for my distress from your client. In the interim please forward by return, their full correspondence address, as this information has never been made available to myself, a copy of the signed and dated documentation showing my willingness to enter into a contract of this magnitude, and finally the credit agreement, signed by myself giving authorisation for them to seek a credit reference against my personal files.


Yours faithfully

MichaelUK_2

Hi guys, I can't believe people do this to the old and vulnerable, without any punishment or repercussions at all.

This weekend I visited Dublin for the first time and met my second uncle who is 74 who I'd not had the pleasure of meeting before, a really nice man who doesnt deserve what I've learned has happened to him (not that any individual should be scammed like this!)

This morning before I returned home to the UK I was at his flat and he showed me these coins and was telling me about the amount he paid for them and how he recognised it was expensive but it was an investment.

He had paid €20-50 for around 10 sets and €250-400 for a few others.

I knew I needed to check this up as it just didn't look right. As soon as I got back from the airport I looked into it. When I found out it was a scam I called him and he's told me he's had to pay them over €600 which he knew he didn't owe as they sent him letters threatening court cases due to them not receiving payment (which he HAS sent but has no proof off).

They call him up saying they have saved some coins just for him and the last call was around 3 days ago where they have told him they are sending 2 sets of coins which total at €1000.

1000 euro, I feel sick and I'm so glad I've met this man and will be able to help him save his money from these thiefs.

What do you guys reccomend I do? I plan to call them tomorrow and ask some questions to see what's been going on and let them know he will not be paying for or requiring any of there products ever again. I also need to find out how they have send these '€1000' sets of coins so I can make sure he receives and returns them correctly so they cant claim they never received them back.

How can this be happening and nothing is done about it? What a world we live in.

Thanks