ace.co.uk

boristhescorpion

Any advice on the below welcomed:

My mother, 88 and with mild cognitive disorder (early dementia) has received an invoice from ace.co.uk for £5.18.

Two things about this:

• the moniker used is Miss and not Mrs, the one she always uses
• there's no detailing of any item she's bought, jst reference to a previous invoice

I've phoned them twice. The first time I was left hanging and gave up after 15 mins, the second time, today, when I explained I was the son and phoning to find out what's happened as I think there may be a fraud being perpetrated, the lady (I have the 'name') said they are experiencing technical difficulties ...


I sent a letter following the first call and since then the only response has been another invoice, this time for £5.36.


I'm happy enough to pay but thought maybe by doing so I accept the transaction as legal and I'm not convinced this is so.


My mother is old school and doesn't take out credit and I'm pretty sure (as she is) she hasn't ordered by phone. She can't use the internet too well.


This is the letter I sent:




Re: Account XXXXXX, Invoice XXXXX, £5.18

Dear Sir / Madam,
I’ve received an invoice for the above amount and am writing for confirmation of the item ordered, its cost and when it was ordered and delivered.
I don’t recall ordering anything from yourselves so can you also let me know the telephone number or email used when the item was ordered.
I’m concerned someone has used my name and address fraudulently. The last four digits of my telephone number are 3229. I don’t use email. I always sign my name as Mrs XXXXX, never Miss and unlikely to use Margarita.
My son, XXXXX, was on the phone with you for 15 minutes this morning (he gave your representative his number, XXXXXX) but couldn’t get an answer.

Any suggtestions really appreciated - was going to contact Action Fraud but thought it might be a little premature.

DoaM

They seem to be a genuine company:
https://www.nominet.uk/whois/?query=ace.co.uk#whois-results

They have a Facebook page, so you could also try messaging them there.

Keep_pedalling

Wait and see what response you get. In the mean time sort out a lasting power of attorney for her if she does not already have one in place, you are going to need it as her dementia gets worse, and it can only be done while she still has the capacity to do so.

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/make-lasting-power

Might as well sort your own LPA out while you are at it, along with a will most adults should have one.

boristhescorpion

Just to tidy up, I contacted Ace through the FB link as suggested above and the issue seems to have been resolved. Account closed and a letter sent to my mother to confirm this is so.

Some sort of fraud but anyway, sorted.

Thanks for all your advice and tips.

RoonilWazlib_2

Think this trader may have had a breach of their security recently. This is the second story I've heard like this (not on this site) in the last few days