Is this a scam? Strange letter in the post?

wasc · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:15

Hi all,

Received a letter in the post - i've scanned it in and edited out my address, and also the reference number which appeared in 3 seperate locations (above address, in letter body and at bottom of letter)

Letter can be found below.

It was sent to my address (addressed to the occupier) but other than that, there is no indication they know me. Just wondered if I should ignore it, or whether I have any sort of duty to respond? I suppose the number is a freephone.

I do have a sort of vague idea what it might be but it's pure speculation.

zain · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:16

Check that ass out :O

lookitsjonno · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:18

looks genuine to me.

Justintime · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:19

Regal Credit Consultants Ltd is a respected Debt Recovery agency with over 20 years of experience helping people to pay their outstanding debts.

Sounds shady, a lot of those buisnesses are. Are you in any way associated with, i.e using the services of said company? If not, ignore.

zain · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:20

jonno.co.uk said:
looks genuine to me.

The ass or the letter?

nst68 · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:22

Have you moved into the house recently? They may be trying to find out where a previous occupant is.

Things change I've changed · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:27

debt collection agency.

touch · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:36

hmmm, they give u a unique referance number but they dont know your name?

Zuma · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:36

if it was that important they would know your name

Al Vallario · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:37

It's a legitimate registered company. The address rings true on both the domain name WHOIS details and the details registered with Companies House, as is the claim that they have "over 20 years of experience" — incorporated in 1982.

Some debt of yours could have been handed over to this company, or they may be chasing up a previous occupier of the house, as has already been stated

Phoebs · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:39

we had a similar letter last week. we moved here in july. They just wanted to know if we had a forwarding address for the old occupant.

SaBBz · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:41

If you had to pay to phone I wouldn't bother, but as it is you might as well ring them

Redrum · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:49

Personally, I would bin it out of principle for them sending you such a rubbish, unprofessional letter that gives you no indication of who they are or what they want. If they want to speak to you, they can call you.

me227 · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:53

Redrum said:
Personally, I would bin it out of principle for them sending you such a rubbish, unprofessional letter that gives you no indication of who they are or what they want. If they want to speak to you, they can call you.

Same here, I wouldn't bother plainly because it's such a vague letter.

AJUK · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:56

Redrum said:
Personally, I would bin it out of principle for them sending you such a rubbish, unprofessional letter that gives you no indication of who they are or what they want. If they want to speak to you, they can call you.

Agreed, the format, tone and general appearance of that letter is very unprofessional. If that left my office I would hang my head in shame, immediately resign and and walk to the nearest McDonalds to ask for an application form.

Alex R · 9 Feb 2007 at 18:58

Redrum said:
Personally, I would bin it out of principle for them sending you such a rubbish, unprofessional letter that gives you no indication of who they are or what they want. If they want to speak to you, they can call you.

Yep, bin it. As stated above, if it is important they can take the time to write a professional letter that makes sense.

joeyjojo · 9 Feb 2007 at 19:02

Just from the thread title I'd say bin it.

Looking at it it's even worse, I wouldn't bother. But if what Phoebs says is true you probably should make sure.

wasc · 9 Feb 2007 at 19:04

AJUK said:
Agreed, the format, tone and general appearance of that letter is very unprofessional. If that left my office I would hang my head in shame, immediately resign and and walk to the nearest McDonalds to ask for an application form.

heh - yeah, I agree with you.

Anyway, it's not me they are after - I am the new owner of the property (bought it 6 months ago). Before i bought the property, it was rented out, so I wouldn't have any details for the person they are likely after anyway as that person was a tenant.

I have known however that one of the previous tenants is dodgy though - I say this as we are receiving a lot of mail for him (which we are returning to sender) but this mail is all asking for bills e.t.c. We have also been contacted by 3 different debt recovery people for this person. Strangely, we are still receiving all his mail relating to his credit cards which he surely would have moved to his new address. This makes me think he's signing up to new credit cards e.t.c and registering it at my address (his old address).

I don't suppose there is anything I could do about this?

joeyjojo · 9 Feb 2007 at 19:09

Sorry, that is a great arse

G-MAN2004 · 9 Feb 2007 at 19:10

Al Vallario said:
It's a legitimate registered company. The address rings true on both the domain name WHOIS details and the details registered with Companies House, as is the claim that they have "over 20 years of experience" — incorporated in 1982.

Some debt of yours could have been handed over to this company, or they may be chasing up a previous occupier of the house, as has already been stated

It says at the bottom of the letter '1983'.