Possible fraud happening.

omits

My wife went into M&S and enquired about the postal ordering process. The assistant after asking for the post code then asked my wife if a certain persons name was correct which was associated somehow with the data she had called up (not a name that should be there!). This name was not hers or mine and unknown to us. We are not sure what system the assistant had used (part of M&S lookup we suppose) but are wondering now how someone could log their name against our address presumably via an M&S store. We came away without asking any more questions at this stage.

Can an or anyone give a clue as to how to check who is registered at our address or some other line of investigation we can follow?

Mojisola

omits wrote: »

My wife went into M&S and enquired about the postal ordering process. The assistant after asking for the post code then asked my wife if a certain persons name was correct which was associated somehow with the data she had called up (not a name that should be there!). This name was not hers or mine and unknown to us. We are not sure what system the assistant had used (part of M&S lookup we suppose) but are wondering now how someone could log their name against our address presumably via an M&S store. We came away without asking any more questions at this stage.

Can an or anyone give a clue as to how to check who is registered at our address or some other line of investigation we can follow?

Postcodes cover more than one house. Could the name that was mentioned be one of your neighbours or did the assistant narrow it down to your property?

The_Boss

If they used just the postcode then could it be a neighbour? You would share this with other houses in your area. Or it could have been a security question. When calling NatWest I've been given a few names and asked which one has lived at my address with me.

You are right to be vigilent though if they used the postcode and a specific house number. The next step would be to call and ask who is associated with your full address (including house/flat number) as you've been advised that an unrecognised name has used your address.

The_Boss

Mojisola wrote: »

Postcodes cover more than one house. Could the name that was mentioned be one of your neighbours or did the assistant narrow it down to your property?

Beat me to it!

fermi

Well, it's not your name and likely not your exact address, so I wouldn't think it has any way of impacting you even if it was dodgy, which it likely isn't.

omits

Thanks for answering. We did give the street number and we do suspect someone now with that name. Now, would this be a M&S thing where they perhaps ordered something at a store and used my wifes account to get it delivered (or would they need the M&S card to do this?

Or is it possible this data is more central and therefore exposed wider.

I admit we may need to goes back to M&S but want to understand the possible implications.

Tixy

So they specifically said your house number to your wife on your phone?

Does your wife currently have a credit card with M&S? Has she checked the statements for it?

I can't see how anyone could have ordered something on your wife's credit card, and if they were going to try to do that it would be easier to use wife's name than give their own.

If you are worried get wife to call up M&S card services and get her to check her credit files to check there are no unknown searches or accounts showing on them.

Crystallady

I believe M & S has a system that looks up all previous orders that have been made with delivery to that post code - online orders or instore orders. AFAIK this system relates solely to the ordering desk and has nothing to do with M&S credit card information.
A friend of mine had this happen where a different name came up for her house number which was explained because her (married) daughter had some Christmas presents delivered to their address a couple of years previously.

omits

Crystallady wrote: »

I believe M & S has a system that looks up all previous orders that have been made with delivery to that post code - online orders or instore orders. AFAIK this system relates solely to the ordering desk and has nothing to do with M&S credit card information.
A friend of mine had this happen where a different name came up for her house number which was explained because her (married) daughter had some Christmas presents delivered to their address a couple of years previously.

Many thanks Crystallady, I think this is what actually happened.