PHOENIX LIFE - Policy Payout (supposedly??!)

amdilieto

Hi. Can someone tell me whether this is a scam? I received a letter to my address, addressed to 'The Occupier' and it referenced my late father (who passed away 16 years ago) saying that they are "trying to find the above named person, for whom we hold no current address". It asked to complete the form they sent to enable to trace him or to call them. So, I called them (with caution). A lady called Erin said that they used to be called Sunlife Financial of Canada, then changed to Lincoln Financial & Liberty, and now are part of Standard Life and are known as Phoenix Life. They said that they are using a tracing service and found that my father had a policy "for decades" and they want to find the next of kin in order to release the money to

I asked her what info she needs (told her I am not prepared to give personal information) and she said, she would need the next of kin info; his date of passing; a copy of his will; death certificate; relationship certificate (so marriage if my mum, or birth if mine) and then they can release the policy information. Then the only information they would require thereafter would be bank details to release the money from the policy to and there is nothing to pay them.

Now, neither my mother or I are aware of my father having any such policy. I why would they find it 16 years after his death? And why would they send it to my house when my father never lived here or was registered here? And how would they know that he was my father?

Something doesn't feel right and perhaps I am overly suspicious. But if someone could help me with this and tell me if this is ligit or a scam, I would be grateful

The details on their letter (which looks photocopied - doesn't even have colour headed paper) says:
phoenixlife.co.uk/enquiries
claims@phoenixlifesupport.co.uk
0345 072 0223
0r
01256841414 (from abroad)

POBOX 7019
basingstoke RG24 4LY

I called the 01256 number as I didn't know whether the 0345 was a fully charged number. Just worried now whether it's one of those numbers that then puts a virus on the phone

Feeling very paranoid about it now - so would really appreciate anyone replying to this please.

Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

The contact details all look legit

from https://www.phoenixlife.co.uk/customer-centre/manage-my-policy/contact

TadleyBaggie

I called the 01256 number as I didn't know whether the 0345 was a fully charged number. Just worried now whether it's one of those numbers that then puts a virus on the phone

Pretty sure that is not a thing.

GrumpyDil

Life Companies have an ongoing obligation to trace beneficiaries etc of lost policies.

That letter sounds a standard trace letter, particularly as the details match the website.

Incidentally Sun Life of Canada is part of the Phoenix Group who are currently in the midst of rebranding to Standard Life.

Woodstok2000

Definitely not a scam, you could be in for a windfall.

dunstonh

Now, neither my mother or I are aware of my father having any such policy

That is probably why it still exists.

. I why would they find it 16 years after his death? And why would they send it to my house when my father never lived here or was registered here? And how would they know that he was my father?

They employ tracing companies who try to locate the individual or potential family members.

Something doesn't feel right and perhaps I am overly suspicious. But if someone could help me with this and tell me if this is ligit or a scam, I would be grateful

All sounds legit and normal.

Just worried now whether it's one of those numbers that then puts a virus on the phone

A telephone call cannot do that.