Studio 24 / Express Gifts Ltd - Fraud/Scam?

jonnydarcy

Afternoon all,
On Wednesday this week I received a 32 inch flat screen TV through the post. The address label on the front had my correct address and full name including my middle name, which is interesting as I don't often refer to my middle name, but it does appear on my credit card.

Initially I thought it was a gift as we were expecting some items through the post from friends that we've been doing favours for. However the item had no accompanying card or notes, so we became suspicious. I contacted Express Gifts Ltd (named on the label) to ask where the gift had come from. It turned out that ringing the number put me straight through to a company called Studio 24. I rang up 5 times in 12 hours and almost each time I was told that there were "system" issues and my account couldn't be accessed. I don't know whether that was a ruse but eventually they were able to get to some information about my "account"! Apparently I have an account??

The mobile number associated with the account is not a number I recognise at all. Nothing to do with me or anyone I know. I immediately stated to them that this looked like some kind of fraud. To be clear, I have never even heard of this company let alone registered an account or purchased anything!

They have told me that their credit department would be in touch which may apparently take 7 days. 7 days??!

Today I received an invoice for £300 and a note telling me that I will be advised about payment options through the post shortly. WHAT???!!!

My questions are, does anyone else have experience of Studio 24 and if so, can they tell me what on earth is going on here??! Chatting to customer services I was astonished to learn that all someone needs to do to set up an account and make a purchase is to supply a name, an address and for that name to pass a credit check. Am I going mad, that is absolutely ridiculous!!!

What on earth do I need to do here? All help VERY gratefully received.

20aday

jonnydarcy wrote: »

Afternoon all,
On Wednesday this week I received a 32 inch flat screen TV through the post. The address label on the front had my correct address and full name including my middle name, which is interesting as I don't often refer to my middle name, but it does appear on my credit card.

Initially I thought it was a gift as we were expecting some items through the post from friends that we've been doing favours for. However the item had no accompanying card or notes, so we became suspicious. I contacted Express Gifts Ltd (named on the label) to ask where the gift had come from. It turned out that ringing the number put me straight through to a company called Studio 24. I rang up 5 times in 12 hours and almost each time I was told that there were "system" issues and my account couldn't be accessed. I don't know whether that was a ruse but eventually they were able to get to some information about my "account"! Apparently I have an account??

The mobile number associated with the account is not a number I recognise at all. Nothing to do with me or anyone I know. I immediately stated to them that this looked like some kind of fraud. To be clear, I have never even heard of this company let alone registered an account or purchased anything!

They have told me that their credit department would be in touch which may apparently take 7 days. 7 days??!

Today I received an invoice for £300 and a note telling me that I will be advised about payment options through the post shortly. WHAT???!!!

My questions are, does anyone else have experience of Studio 24 and if so, can they tell me what on earth is going on here??! Chatting to customer services I was astonished to learn that all someone needs to do to set up an account and make a purchase is to supply a name, an address and for that name to pass a credit check. Am I going mad, that is absolutely ridiculous!!!

What on earth do I need to do here? All help VERY gratefully received.

I can't help you re: Studio 24 but I would obtain copies of your credit reports to see if anything else has been opened in terms of credit without your knowledge and consent.

happy_bunny_2

Check your credit file, but might not be on there yet if just opened.

write to the address on the invoice stating you believe this is fraud and you wish to register a complaint.

Get proof of posting. Telephone logs can conveniently go missing when required...

Hazzinho

Seems strange they'd sent to your address, there is no benefit to the fraudster, so it's more of a hassle than anything. Have you annoyed anyone recently? Do you have any teenagers living with you?

MothballsWallet

jonny, is this them? If so, they appear to be connected with Findel, who own (or used to own) Kleeneze and, I think (the now liquidated) Farepak.

This is what I get when I googled "Studio 24" - a real mish mash of options.

jonnydarcy

Thanks all.

In terms of credit report, is this the kind of thing I'd get from equifax?

20aday

jonnydarcy wrote: »

Thanks all.

In terms of credit report, is this the kind of thing I'd get from equifax?

Yes, Equifax, Experian and CallCredit.