Free samples being delivered, but I haven't ordered anything. What's going on???

[Gingernaut]

Yesterday, I arrived home to a neighbour banging on my door to tell me I've received "some post"

He passed me three Evri parcels, perfectly addressed to me, which combined, weighed about half a stone.

Each one contained multiple laminate flooring samples.

Today, I came home to find a free sample of Sylk lube (addressed to one "Dorothy Merryweather" but my address) and a Royal Mail note through my door to tell me they've left a parcel with my next door neighbours.

When I knocked, she passed me multiple boxes of more laminate flooring samples, some tweed carpet samples and two boxes of fake grass samples.

I'm freaked.

I don't know anyone well enough for pranks like this to be funny or normal and my family and colleagues are denying all knowledge

I've just paid £25 to be registered with Cifas and now I'm here, asking for advice.

WTF do I do??

I'd ring them up and ask for details, even an email address might give you a clue. I'm sorry this is happening to you. Years ago I went through similar, although it was multiple taxis and pizzas being ordered to my house. I realised they always happened after my neighbours son got home from work, and we had a very minor incident a month beforehand. It soon stopped. I think the best thing here is to not let it wind you up. Whenever these parcels arrive, just bin them and don't mention it to anyone. Do you think it might be a neighbour?

If this is the start of a campaign against you I'd also check on Companies House that someone hasn't paid the £12 it costs to register some fake company in your name too.

Bloody hell OP - this is awful

Have you had any disagreements with a neighbour?

Brilliant idea!

It's probably someone thinking they're hilarious. Doesn't have to be rational. Anyone interested in buying your house and trying to drive you away using a frankly pathetic method??

The randomness of the items will be purely due to which companies will send out free samples or catalogues if asked. Someone is going to a lot of trouble phoning or emailing round lots of different places to ask for stuff to be sent out. Have you had random marketing emails as well? If not, think who would know your postal address and not your email address could it be a neighbour or a previous delivery person who’s got the hump with you?

I would report this to the police. I know someone this happened to. They did work for the police so it may have been taken more seriously than usual but they were able to trace who it was via the IP address used. It was a stupid teenager who got a very stern talking to.

Hmmm I think it’s time for undercover detective work, can you call the next company up and pretend you did order it, say you’re interested in placing a proper order and ask them to confirm all your details on file before proceeding? See if they’ve given anything identifying away?

This is awful. The only person I know that this happened to was a teacher -in the days before 1471, prank phone calls at all hours, same with gifts. Etc The police said it was one of the most prolific cases they had ever dealt with -it went on for years. Eventually she was discovered as a GCSE pupil who did it for 4 years before they got her. She got told off, the school did nothing it was just a campaign of hatred. He had told her off for spitting -that was his crime and yet him, his wife and 4 children were phoned silently at all hours etc

I'd log it with the police now -it's harassment. I'd be very careful -get the police to take it seriously that is why it is so devasting. Speak to the post office and your postie as well and explain what is happening. Sadly stalkers can be co workers, friends, family.

So far, no emails.

Just spent 3/4 of an hour in the Post Office, stuck behind a customer who was trying to send money via Moneygram.

It's gone down.

Returned the parcels, no problem

I hope you get this sorted out OP

Is there any chance of simply somebody wanting to receive samples entering their postcode wrong on an autofill online, and clicking your house number?

Also, I really suffer from address confusion, I'm in an offshoot new build in suburbia, so for example I live in 1 New Gardens on Garden Road but there is also a 1 Garden Road and they frequently get deliveries meant for. me no matter how clear I am.

Sorry, just seen this

• I have a stereotypically, but often misspelled Irish name and some of the parcels are addressed to some of the misspelled variations

It's someone I know. They know this shit pisses me off.*

In which case this is really creepy, start with 101 maybe?

I'd contact the police. They may be able to trace the IP address of the person who is setting up these accounts.

It may be from a company like Catalink - but ask one of the companies that have sent you stuff where they got your details from.

There was a young guy not so long ago who was traced via his IP after sending deluges of spam to a couple. There are ways around it of course but not everyone knows how. 101 is a good place to start.

Am I the only one who loves free samples and magazines? I would also check it's not fraud or malicious intent to cause harm but other than that I would love free samples of stuff. Might find something I really like. Never tried pj pants but might come in handy next time I'm on my period.

What would you do with multiple laminate floor samples though? @honeybeetheoneandonly

I think you are also slightly missing the point that it feels quit threatening to receive things you know you haven’t order, knowing that someone is doing it to you with malicious intent.

@Itsnotthesameasitwas I never knew you could get laminate floor samples for free but if it was something beautiful at a reasonable price I might hold on to it for next time I need to do some flooring (looks ruefully at old, worn, stained living room carpet). I think if it was malicious they would have ordered or send something the OP would be charged for eg 20 pizzas. Getting free samples sounds more like something that's meant to be funny or annoying rather than harmful. In any case, I would probably enjoy free samples.

There's nothing to enjoy

They're little notebook sized pieces with the edges cut away, so they can't click together.

Aren't they different patterns or colours, so you could decide which one you'd like? If they are nice, could you use them as coasters or something? Do you know anyone about to remodel their place? It hopefully stops soon. I the meantime, I hope at least some of it will be useful or a welcome surprise for you.

Don't be dim. This is very clearly a form of harassment. Would you welcome a sample of incontinence wear and saga magazines as well? It's not just bits of laminate the OP has received.

This is harassment OP, do a FOI request to the companies and explain you believe these orders are malicious.
Someone from my workplace was sacked for doing this to another colleague, traced via IP address etc

Also tell your neighbours not to accept any packages, you really have no idea what is being sent

Agh, I’m so sorry you’re going through this OP
The only time I’ve come across this was with a friend who was sent things with malicious intent (leaflets) and they were the work of another “friend”, whom she’d never suspected
Echo the advice to log with 101 in the first instance

Consider contacting the police