Unsure if this is genuine!

egg0

Hi all

First time on this forum, so I hope I'm posting in the right place. I have attached a screenshot of some text messages received from a debt collection company called Marston. When googling the company the website link and phone number in the screenshot appear to match the actual company.

Two reference numbers have been added, which I've blanked out incase this is actually genuine. They also both match.

Has anyone else received anything similar or the same? I've had no letters, emails or calls and I'm unable to actually block this contact as it does not appear to be linked to an actual phone number!

I appreciate any help/advice with this.

Thanks 😊 

cymruchris

Do you owe anything to anyone that could have been passed to a debt collection agency?

Nasqueron

Check your credit file on the 3 main agencies - Experian via MSE Credit Club, Clear Score and Credit Karma - if you have old debts that defaulted it's quite possible for a company to buy the debt then chase you for it 

Linus2864

Marston is the recovery firm used by HM Courts and Tribunals and HMRC.   Have you any outstanding tax bills, court fines or compensation payments?

As suggested above, you should check your credit files on Experian, Clear Score and Credit Karma to see if there are any defaults on there.

Have you moved address recently as they may have been sending letters to an old address?

Hope this helps

L

FreeFallerSaver

Has all the hallmarks of spam messaging to me. Poorly worded messages ("set by legislation", for example - what does that mean?), that phone number is complete nonsense, plus the second text message starts with a comma. If it was me, and I wasnt aware of me owing anybody any money, I'd simply delete and/or block them.

If you're worried, contact the real Marston using the details on their own website if they have one (search yourself for them on Google, don't just click on the link in that text).

If it is genuine, then Marston seriously need to improve their comms.

Ferro

Not for the first time:  

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6452045/marston

fatbelly

They are getting better at it because that is very close to the real marston's payment portal at

https://payments.marstonholdings.co.uk/

Nevertheless the general principle holds. Ignore calls, emails and texts. If it's important, they'll write

sourcrates

SPAM !!

Ignore and delete.

The real Marston`s are bailiffs, but also act as collectors sometimes, just to second the above advice, this is obvious spam, but as a rule of thumb for genuine debts, unless it comes in a letter, ignore it.

Legally they must write to you.