Could this be a scam?
Discussion
So around 6 maybe 7 months ago we buy a rather expensive item (think not much change from 2K). Bought from a medium sized shop, not a major chain and credit agreement signed with 3rd party. Item delivered no worries. After a few days the shop calls to say they lost our paperwork can we go a sign a new agreement, so we do.
4 weeks goes by no letter from the credit company and no 1st payment taken, so we call them. No paperwork received. Waits another month, phoned again still nothing.
Fast forward now 5 to 6 months since purchase, given up waiting. Shop calls and says paperwork was lost again, they just did reconciliation and noticed. Can we sign a 3rd agreement. Hmmmmmm okay. Signed and sent off.
3-4 weeks later and guess what same story, 3rd party credit company doesn't have any paperwork, no money taken!
Now how do we stand here, at some point we will get another call from the shop to sign a 4th agreement no doubt, but I'm tempted to refuse and if needs be return the goods. Things get lost in the post but not 3 times in a row. The problem is I could do that then start getting billed if one of the previous agreements magically appears. However if I don't sign it then I am defrauding them? I'm also thinking if it could be some sort of scam but if it is its a new one on me.
4 weeks goes by no letter from the credit company and no 1st payment taken, so we call them. No paperwork received. Waits another month, phoned again still nothing.
Fast forward now 5 to 6 months since purchase, given up waiting. Shop calls and says paperwork was lost again, they just did reconciliation and noticed. Can we sign a 3rd agreement. Hmmmmmm okay. Signed and sent off.
3-4 weeks later and guess what same story, 3rd party credit company doesn't have any paperwork, no money taken!
Now how do we stand here, at some point we will get another call from the shop to sign a 4th agreement no doubt, but I'm tempted to refuse and if needs be return the goods. Things get lost in the post but not 3 times in a row. The problem is I could do that then start getting billed if one of the previous agreements magically appears. However if I don't sign it then I am defrauding them? I'm also thinking if it could be some sort of scam but if it is its a new one on me.
It's a wierd one.
Their actions a definitely odd. Either a member of staff has found a fiddle or a member of staff is ruthlessly incompetant.
Either way the importance is to protect yourself.
I would suggest that the first thing you do is write to their head office detailing what has happened at this branch and explain that you have been in contact with the credit company and they have not been sent anything and that you wish this matter resolved but can now only work with head office to do so as you suspect there is something amiss at this branch.
Put it in writing and send it recorded etc so you are fully documented. No harm in chasing with a phone call from your landline as this will also be documented.
Cover your arse and then get it sorted at this higher level. Whether a ruse or just negligence the person at the shop will aim to cover them self by blaming you.
Their actions a definitely odd. Either a member of staff has found a fiddle or a member of staff is ruthlessly incompetant.
Either way the importance is to protect yourself.
I would suggest that the first thing you do is write to their head office detailing what has happened at this branch and explain that you have been in contact with the credit company and they have not been sent anything and that you wish this matter resolved but can now only work with head office to do so as you suspect there is something amiss at this branch.
Put it in writing and send it recorded etc so you are fully documented. No harm in chasing with a phone call from your landline as this will also be documented.
Cover your arse and then get it sorted at this higher level. Whether a ruse or just negligence the person at the shop will aim to cover them self by blaming you.
supersport said:
Surely if they haven't taken any money out of your account, there isn't a scam but complete and utter incompetance?
I guess there is the risk that an employee keeps using the documents to book a sale of this luxury item, removes it from stock, sells it privately and loses the credit paperwork etc.The idea being that they will have skipped out before anyone really finds out having blagged a lot of stock.
I can't really see the scam and suspect incompetance but just musing how if it were a scam someone was benefitting without the 'targets' getting tapped up for the money until after it is over and they are showing up as having bought 3 or 4 of them and not paid?
I cannot see this as a scam.
As other have said put the money away.
I suspect it is monumental incompetence: eventually someone will seek payment from you.
But they may not.
I had two clients both of whom had big claims for House Insurance at the same time from the same company but two offices of the company.
Both had great difficulty getting paid although liability was admitted from the start. Went on for months. One was for £14,000 the other for £27,000.
Then suddenly both got paid not once but twice, two payments both six weeks apart in each case.
They asked me what to do.
I recommended keeping the additional money but be aware it could be demanded at any time up to six years.
I though Audit at the Insurers would pick this up. It did not.
That was over three years ago I would doubt they will hear now.
They do not know each other at all. I am the only connection.
So there are sometimes odd transaction.
You have one.
You have made every reasonable attempt to pay. Keep the money and wait for six years.
It is yours then absolutely.
As other have said put the money away.
I suspect it is monumental incompetence: eventually someone will seek payment from you.
But they may not.
I had two clients both of whom had big claims for House Insurance at the same time from the same company but two offices of the company.
Both had great difficulty getting paid although liability was admitted from the start. Went on for months. One was for £14,000 the other for £27,000.
Then suddenly both got paid not once but twice, two payments both six weeks apart in each case.
They asked me what to do.
I recommended keeping the additional money but be aware it could be demanded at any time up to six years.
I though Audit at the Insurers would pick this up. It did not.
That was over three years ago I would doubt they will hear now.
They do not know each other at all. I am the only connection.
So there are sometimes odd transaction.
You have one.
You have made every reasonable attempt to pay. Keep the money and wait for six years.
It is yours then absolutely.
Steffan said:
I cannot see this as a scam.
As other have said put the money away.
I suspect it is monumental incompetence: eventually someone will seek payment from you.
But they may not.
I had two clients both of whom had big claims for House Insurance at the same time from the same company but two offices of the company.
Both had great difficulty getting paid although liability was admitted from the start. Went on for months. One was for £14,000 the other for £27,000.
Then suddenly both got paid not once but twice, two payments both six weeks apart in each case.
They asked me what to do.
I recommended keeping the additional money but be aware it could be demanded at any time up to six years.
I though Audit at the Insurers would pick this up. It did not.
That was over three years ago I would doubt they will hear now.
They do not know each other at all. I am the only connection.
So there are sometimes odd transaction.
You have one.
You have made every reasonable attempt to pay. Keep the money and wait for six years.
It is yours then absolutely.
unless you have missed out some rather vital information which involves your clients making reasonable attempts to divest themselves of the wrongful credit paid under the policy of insurance it sounds very much like they have committed an offence, on your advice, contrary to the 68 theft act.As other have said put the money away.
I suspect it is monumental incompetence: eventually someone will seek payment from you.
But they may not.
I had two clients both of whom had big claims for House Insurance at the same time from the same company but two offices of the company.
Both had great difficulty getting paid although liability was admitted from the start. Went on for months. One was for £14,000 the other for £27,000.
Then suddenly both got paid not once but twice, two payments both six weeks apart in each case.
They asked me what to do.
I recommended keeping the additional money but be aware it could be demanded at any time up to six years.
I though Audit at the Insurers would pick this up. It did not.
That was over three years ago I would doubt they will hear now.
They do not know each other at all. I am the only connection.
So there are sometimes odd transaction.
You have one.
You have made every reasonable attempt to pay. Keep the money and wait for six years.
It is yours then absolutely.
Steffan said:
There are indeed may facts that I have not disclosed. Nor will I.
you either give the full picture or you dont. giving a half baked substitute is both unhelpful and inaccurate. your clients on the facts provided so far, have actually committed a serious offence. So have you by aiding and abetting them as their accountant.
so very well done.
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