Is this a scam and should I worry?

Fruittea

I often receive commercial post addressed to other people at my address. I have lived at this address for 20 years and no one else has lodged or stayed here. This morning I got a quote from PetPlan for dog insurance - it's the second one in 2 months I have cats.
I just wondered why people ask for these quotes and if it's a scam and why. I've also had car insurance quotes before - should I be worried.
Thanks in advance for any help.

thriftylass

Was it addressed to you personally or The Occupier or another name at this address? Is the address correct down the very letter? If it says to The Occupier, then it's just advertising. If to another person but your address, just stick it back out for the postie with a note saying "not at this address". If the letter has your name AND correct address I might be worried but not sure what to do. Surely someone else will be along soon to help.

Fruittea

Thanks - they are always addressed to proper names. The last 2 Mrs Zoe Tracy and Mrs Christina Norton - both for different types of dogs. And yes the address is correct. Weird.

FreeBear

I had been getting a few for household insurance with the name of a neighbour at the top, but using my address. Took the first few round, and found she had mistyped the house number whilst using one of those comparison sites.

Returned the favour a few months later when making an online inquiry. :T

Hasbeen

Fruittea wrote: »

Thanks - they are always addressed to proper names. The last 2 Mrs Zoe Tracy and Mrs Christina Norton - both for different types of dogs. And yes the address is correct. Weird.

Many people put in false names but others addresses in all kind of Ins quotes as most Co ask for post code to find address etc.

Its so they can get quote's without all the junk coming in their letterbox.:(

Fruittea

Thanks - weird though as it's definitely not a neighbour I know everyone as I live in a village with only 35 houses. I wonder how they find the address. From what you're all saying I shouldn't worry about it then.

thriftylass

Fruittea wrote: »

Thanks - weird though as it's definitely not a neighbour I know everyone as I live in a village with only 35 houses. I wonder how they find the address. From what you're all saying I shouldn't worry about it then.

They might just choose a random postcode and often the online form then lets you pick an address within the postcode. That now seems the most likely scenario.

steeeb

Do you have a postcode with like 123, 111 or something in it? Or AA something?

Are you also the first house number that'd appear for that said postcode?

If your number 1, AA12 3AA for example - it's VERY likely people would use this as a fake postcode.

Fruittea

No - it starts with G and ends in H and all the letters and numbers are different.

27cool

Even if it is a scam. It's not going to affect you. Because I would hope that by now, the letters are already in the recycling bin.
I'm sure that you must have more serious things to worry about. Just saying!

worried_jim

I always do dummy insurance quotes for a house a few doors down in a random name as insurance companies can see you doing them and can alter their prices accordingly when you come to buy a policy. Never done it in an actual neighbours name. Might start.