Is this a dodgy debt collection letter?

joew5421

Hi,

Last week I received a letter from debt collection agency that I think is quite dodgy. Just wondering if anyone else has come across something similar?

• The letter gave no information other than the company's name (I had to Google it before I realised they were debt collectors).
• The letter said they needed confirmation that I lived at this address.
• It said they couldn’t give me any details on the ‘account’ due to Data Protection.
• They asked me to call their premium rate number immediately to discuss my account.

I’ve been told these can be phising scams. Basically I think it’s dodgy because (1) I don’t know of any debt this could refer to, (2) they didn’t even introduce themselves as debt collectors, (3) they have claimed they can’t give any information about why they’re writing to me, (4) they only seem to have my name and address which could be available anywhere.

I’m inclined not to respond to this because if it was something genuine they would have given more information or at least introduced themselves as a debt collector. Also I’m assuming they will get back in touch if it is real. I’m just a bit concerned that if I don’t reply and it turns out to be genuine then it looks like I’m trying to dodge something. Has anyone come across this before?

Here are some details from the letter (this is pretty much all it says):

From Fredrickson International Limited, PO Box 260, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0YH.
Asked me to call 0845 8396298.
“Information has been received confirming that your address details have changed to this address...Due to Data Protection legislation details of the account are not included in this letter. Please call us immediately...quoting the above reference for more information.”


Thanks,

Joe

fevlo

Fredrickson International are a genuine Debt collection agency so its not "dodgy" but may very well be a fishing letter.
Just hold out and see if they send anything else, this letter is normally followed up with the first collection letter introducing themselves and explaining about the debt.

harrys_dad

Post here again if you receive any more communications from them. Do not phone them, and do not give them any information. If it is a genuine debt they have to prove that you owe it, and people here will give you advice on the sort of letter to send them.

fermi

Unless they give proper details of what they are after, then I too would just ignore.

Perhaps check to make sure they haven't added anything nasty to your credit files though.

joew5421

Thanks all,

I think I'll hold and see if they get back to me.

I was just worried that not replying to this first letter would look bad if it turned out to be a genuine debt...which is probably how lots of people feel and why it's a successful used phising scam!