DHL wants me to pay VAT & Duty for items I have not ordered

vikishand

Hi, I'm asking for advise, I got stuck in this situation with DHL

My credit card was fraudulently used in July, we notified MBNA and they started the investigation. I few days later a DHL delivery man turned up, I explained to him about my credit card situation, he said in that case he takes some notes and takes the parcel back, I have nothing else to do.

Soon after the first delivery attempt I've been contacted by DHL again, I got a letter and an invoice asking me to pay the outstanding £117.98 on my account. I called the phone number and had a nearly 10 minutes conversation with a person explaining the situation again. He said he took a note of what I said and I should just ignore the letter in that case, which I did.

I moved from my previous address a few months ago and now that I went to collect my mail, I was really upset to see that I received an other letter yet again from DHL threatening me with legal action if I don't pay the outstanding balance. I sent them an e-mail with all the facts:

1. My credit card was fraudulently used by someone, who even provided his phone number on the parcel
2. I reported this to MBNA, my credit card company BEFORE the delivery person came.
3. I explained the situation to the DHL delivery person and he gave me the phone number on the package which I forwarded to MBNA. He took notes and said I don't have to do anything about it if I don't want the package, he will just take it back.
4. MBNA investigated the fraud transaction and our money was refunded to the credit card.

They sent back an e-mail stating they opened a dispute case on the 4th December

On the 24th we got the mail from our all address and I received a letter from a Collection company dated 12th December threatening me to pay the outstanding money +£10 fee within 7 days otherwise they take further action. They also said that I can't contact DHL about it any more.

I'm so confused now. Not sure what my options are here? DHL never contacted me about the how the dispute is going, they forwarded my old address to the collection company even if I clearly stated that I moved from that address and they want the money for this parcel which I did not order and got.

Sorry my post is so lengthy.
I would appreciate any advise on the matter.

nomoneytoday

I'd write back once, and then consider the matter closed.
If they take it further, then you've got proof that you told them the story.

(IANAL)

Buzby

It is unusual that when a CC is used fraudulently, the goods actual are sent to the CC holder!

Regardless of this, you did not accept delivery so there is no Customs Fee or clearances due by you.

Hintza

Agree with the above 2 posts. You might also want to tell the collection company that if the contact you again you will consider it harassment.

vikishand

Called them today and I was told that it's in their query department and I should hear back from them in 2 weeks...

arcon5

Something doesn't sound right here. Why would somebody fraudulently obtain and use your card details and have the goods sent to your address? Where's the benefit to the fraudster?!

You sure a family member didn't use your card and stayed quiet when you found out?

Air_Cooled_75

Several years ago we had a delivery from Amazon, 3 Playstations and a laptop, all fraudulently ordered on my husband's account. He had seen the order on his account but only just before delivery so we didn't open the package. We know someone had added another address. The cc company and Amazon sorted it but we would've loved to have known the outcome with the fraudster!

PasturesNew

arcon5 wrote: »

Something doesn't sound right here. Why would somebody fraudulently obtain and use your card details and have the goods sent to your address? Where's the benefit to the fraudster?!

You sure a family member didn't use your card and stayed quiet when you found out?

Or maybe, it sounds like somebody with a grudge against them and access to their information has set them up; somebody with some knowledge of how the process works.

Littlestars_2

arcon5 wrote: »

Something doesn't sound right here. Why would somebody fraudulently obtain and use your card details and have the goods sent to your address? Where's the benefit to the fraudster?!

You sure a family member didn't use your card and stayed quiet when you found out?

Its very common to get fraudulent orders delivered to the the cardholders address as they think it plays the system so an order will go through as will look more genuine. People will hang around outside a property waiting for the del van or if gets del will go around and say was incorrectly del to them. I know it looks like there is little logic in it but it is very common to happen.

Truepat

This is probably just some automated computer process following its set of rules. In these cases it is always best to send a letter or email explaining the situation rather than relying on phone calls.