Car Finance - Claim Firm signed up - advice for terminating

boiledchalk

Hello, first - apologies for adding another car finance claim company post, I know the forum's inundated... I've had a look, but haven't found an answer online. Thanks in advance if anyone's able to offer some advice

There's a lot of text below - huge thanks if anyone even takes the time to read it! 
TLDR - signed up to a claims firm by naively following a link and entering personal info. Still within 14 days, HD Law are the claims firm, we have not reviewed any of the linked documents, provided photo ID, or issued formal instruction. Looking for advice on whether I should formally issue an email to cancel any perceived contract and delete data; ignore the emails; open links to gain more info (I'm reluctant to engage with them) and then try to cancel. 

My dad has early onset alzheimers, which has led to my mum picking up the finance and admin side of their life - something she doesn't enjoy and finds stressful. In a moment of weakness, she clicked an obviously dodgy link in an unsolicited email from a typical random offer email address to check if they could claim car finance. And then provided my dad's email, phone, and previous address. She ticked the boxes signing up for two companies processing information. I don't believe there was a signature involved or a formal contract / terms shared. Mum very quickly realised she shouldn't have done this...

The small print in that first email states that the "site is owned and operated by Fountain Finances Limited" - who have a pretty torrid reputation from a quick google. 

An email then came through from noreply@carfinancecheck.uk stating that "HD Law" would proceed with the application. They stated that they would issue the following documents within seven days of reviewing the received info, and make a welcome call over the phone. 

• Client Care Letter
• Form of Authority
• Conditional Fee Agreement (No Win, No Fee Agreement).

A few days later there were multiple attempts to phone my dad from an unknown number - all ignored, and no voicemail left. We've now blocked unknown numbers on his phone and will have to get him a new number (NHS GP appointments are only ever by phone these days, always from an unknown number). There was also at the same time a scam text from a "police officer" fishing for a response. It's obviously not legit, but he's vulnerable and could fall for it. 

Then seven days after entering the details, they received an email from "carfinance@hd-law.info". HD Law seems to be a valid law firm with a good trustpilot score - but that can obviously be rigged; they also aren't listed on Google Maps which seems odd. (just to note - the HD-Law website uses the .co.uk domain, but .info redirects to the same website). 

The email describes a No Win No Fee claim, outlines their planned actions, stating the agreement was attached (note - it was not), and with the following statement in bold: To proceed, we require a photo of your identification. You may upload it by clicking the button below. They also provide links to several Forms of Authority for car finance contracts, a client care letter, and conditional fee agreement.

None of these links - including the photo request - have been followed. We are still within the fourteen day window from initially providing the information. Based on the MSE guide, you can typically cancel these agreements within 14 days of signing up. I don't believe what's occurred to date constitutes signing up to a claims firm however and am not sure there's anything to cancel. I also note that ignoring the Photo ID request could be a blocker to proceeding further anyway.

My instinct is to ignore all links and send an email to request they delete any and all held information, state that we withdraw any previously granted or assumed consent, terminate any perceived or actual contracts and agreements, and cease communications. 

I would be hugely grateful if someone could let me know if this is a sensible approach before I send something, or if there's some kind of template/update for these issues that I've missed? Or is it more prudent to take it at face value, follow the links, download the documents and then formally cancel? Or, as there's been no actual communication, just play radio silence?

Brie

You could send them a strongly worded email to state that your father, who is a vulnerable individual, clicked on the link not realising what it was and that as he isn't capable due to his mental health cannot be held responsible and therefore no contract has been agreed.  Then a polite but firm "please erase all contact details".

But I am not a solicitor.