is this a scam?

[gavin]

take a look at this letter, what do you reckon?



the name they are asking about is different to the addressee, in so much thats its Ms and Mrs, and the name they are asking about has a middle initial and the addressee dosen't, but both ffirstand surnames are the same.

i checked the postcodes out on google maps, the registered address is a private residence, and the office looks like a bbusinesslink type office.

interestingly the name and address on the prepaid envelope and the headed letter are subtly different; the envelope dosen't have the "Ltd" after the company name, and although the street and number are the same, the postcode is quite different.

is it a legitimate search, or an attempt to get further personal information to get at bank accounts etc?

your thoughts please...

[bob a]

This looks like someone trying to get your details to take your identity, all too comon now.

If you or this person noted have a pension then there will be contact details on the paperwork you have, get in touch with them that way and let them know what you got sent.

Any pension place would have the DOB and nat insurance number.

[Davo]

A quick search of google & companies house seems to indicate they are a legitimate company.

Companies House comes up with the following address:

FARADAY TRACING BUREAU LIMITED
42 BENHILL AVENUE
SUTTON
SURREY
SM1 4DA
Company No. 01113800

Is that the same address on the envelope?

[gavin]

thats what i thought too. checked them out on applegate and they have a listing with a good shpeel.


however...

i also checked them on ukdata, been incorporated since 1973, but the Company Status reads:

[gavin]

[Paivi]

Some discussion about Faraday Tracing here and their ad in a personal finance publication is here.

[gavin]

thanks paivi. it all "looks" legit, but it feels decidely bent. bit like those watch ads in tatler that those sharp guys in service area carparks show you and then offer you the £1500 watch for 200 quid

shes got no debts, the subject of the enquiry isnt known to her, shes got no missing pensions and no missing relatives who might have, so she's just going to ignore it.

the thing that bothers me is with an NI number, a DOB, address and name you can get almost any information you want, and theres no way id let her give that info up just like that, however legit the company looks, it just feels wrong....

[Resurrection]

The other problem with this is being a LTD company they can walk away from you without any reprisal or comeback

I'd watch yourself mate

Res
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ZX9r

[Annabella]

I don't like the use of "routine" and "necessary" in the same sentance.


To check it out she could always call the number and see what questions are asked, she would not be obliged to answer them in that situation.
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[SoulRider]

As with anything that requires personal details and expecially another person's personal details i would be very carefull and ask for as many forms of identification and security clearance's etc as possible, plus if they work for a company find out who and then call them up.

If in doubt hang up and tear the letter up (best use a shredder with the amount of id fraudsters out there now) because if they do really need this information im sure they wont rely on people just sending all the details willy nilly back to them.
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[Sadie]

Did a credit check on them. The two Directors, Donna and Ian Anthony Da Souza appear to be married. The report says "Caution - Credit at your discretion" with a credit scoring of 0.

The company was first incorporated in 1973 and their auditors, Bridgeman Perry & Co, have issued the accounts with no adverse comments.

Accounts are filed with Companies House up to date, but don't give a great picture.


____________________
With experience comes age.

[gavin]

thanks sadie. interesting is that, given that based on their registered address and what the satalite image on google maps shows is a rather nice large house in surrey....

[Fortuna]

In the age we live in you can never be to careful. Kudos to you for being sharp.