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Urgent help littlewoods fraud

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Someone purchased a computer from Littlewoods under my name and address. Littlewoods have sent a default notice to me and want me to pay for it even though I did not buy it. They say the item was delivered to a different address than mine and but they're not willing to share the address. What can I do? What are my rights? Am I going to have to pay for this thing? I am a student and to say I'm broke is an understatement, I am panicking .
I appreciate any help guys.

Comments

  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 7,975 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Contact the credit department at Littlewoods and tell them that you wish to make a formal complaint. That will start their formal complaints process. With any luck, that will sort it.


    Failing that, there's the financial services ombudsman. But they will only be interested after you have exhausted Littlewoods' complaint process.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • shaun_from_Africa
    shaun_from_Africa Posts: 12,858 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    NPor wrote: »
    They say the item was delivered to a different address than mine and but they're not willing to share the address.

    I would contact them and again ask for the address the computer was delivered to too see if you recognise it.
    If they refuse to divulge it, ask them why.
    As far as I ca see, there can only be two options.

    1/ They think that you placed the order in which case you are legally permitted to be given full details of that order, or

    2/ Someone else place the order without your knowledge and they would be breaking GDPR privacy by giving you information to which you are not entitled. If this is the case then by refusing to pass over the information, they must think you did not place the order.
  • Airkraft
    Airkraft Posts: 22 Forumite
    NPor wrote: »
    Someone purchased a computer from Littlewoods under my name and address. Littlewoods have sent a default notice to me and want me to pay for it even though I did not buy it. They say the item was delivered to a different address than mine and but they're not willing to share the address. What can I do? What are my rights? Am I going to have to pay for this thing? I am a student and to say I'm broke is an understatement, I am panicking .
    I appreciate any help guys.

    Fraud is a criminal offence and should be reported to the police.

    Obtain a crime number or at least an incident number at this stage.

    Or you can report the matter online here:
    https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,247 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    shaun from Africa's point is correct. You can make a (written) subject access request specifically for the address where the computer was delivered, and the voice recording of the call if the order was placed over the telephone. If they will not tell you the address via a SAR, then they know it was not you that placed the order and so you are not liable for the debt. Produce the SAR results in court and the judge will laugh at them.

    If they tell you the address, then they are likely to stick to their view that you have the computer or know who has it. If this goes to court, I think your defence should include casting aspertions on their security processes - if they are prepared to send high-value goods to an address that is not connected to the customer on credit, they have to accept that some fraud is going to take place and they are responsible. You might ask them how the perpetrator authenticated themselvs as you. What inforamtion were they asked for that they knew? If Littlewoods can't answer this, their security processes look suspect - if they won't tell you for data protection reasons, they are in breach of the data protection rules - you have a right to know all the data they hold about you including what security questions you are asked every time you contact them. If they assert that you must have "passed security" in order for an order to be accepted, you can question whether this is good enough record keeping given the serious consequences for you if they allow a fraud to be perpetrated on your account.

    You can use the voice recording to prove to the court that it was not you who placed the order.

    If you get the address, I would go and do some snooping it to see what you can find out. Don't break the law, but see what you can find out about who lives there, who comes and goes, have there been similar problems at the address. Chances are there is a nosy neighbour in the street you will not be bothered about data protection!
    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • Les79
    Les79 Posts: 1,337 Forumite
    That's a bit of an odd one to be fair!

    When I used to work in retail, there was a rule of thumb in place that high-value items HAD to be delivered to the billing address on the first occasion. Fraud was rife like so it was necessary. Also, certain high-value items just simply flag up!

    Anyways, in your situation I would:

    - Consider reporting to the police (even if you just obtain a crime reference number with no further action)

    - Make a Subject Access Request (SAR) for all personal information that they hold on you which isn't linked to fraud. I would personally specifically ask for the information not linked to fraud as it is a bit iffy if you request/receive the fraudulent info (it technically isn't your information), especially given you think you aren't entitled to access it. They'll likely ignore your request (report them to ICO after 1 calendar month) or refuse to comply on the grounds that it may not be your information (which is good for you :) ).

    I think it is more about setting yourself up to look like someone who has genuine fraud concerns here. If/when this goes to court, any and all evidence (even if it is merely a crime reference number, for example) of you raising the concerns will help your case :)
  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Les79 wrote: »
    That's a bit of an odd one to be fair!

    When I used to work in retail, there was a rule of thumb in place that high-value items HAD to be delivered to the billing address on the first occasion. Fraud was rife like so it was necessary. Also, certain high-value items just simply flag up!

    Anyways, in your situation I would:

    - Consider reporting to the police (even if you just obtain a crime reference number with no further action)

    - Make a Subject Access Request (SAR) for all personal information that they hold on you which isn't linked to fraud. I would personally specifically ask for the information not linked to fraud as it is a bit iffy if you request/receive the fraudulent info (it technically isn't your information), especially given you think you aren't entitled to access it. They'll likely ignore your request (report them to ICO after 1 calendar month) or refuse to comply on the grounds that it may not be your information (which is good for you :) ).

    I think it is more about setting yourself up to look like someone who has genuine fraud concerns here. If/when this goes to court, any and all evidence (even if it is merely a crime reference number, for example) of you raising the concerns will help your case :)

    They may have used the Collect+ option
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