Anyone know what this scam could be?

[Hettyhopeless]

A few months ago, my DH received a number of strange packages in the mail from a company called Ambrose Wilson. The first contained a pair of white sports socks, then came a pair of size 18 ladies vests, followed by a head massager and plain tee shirt. He has never had an account with this company and did not order these items. He contacted the company and had difficulty at first because, although the name and address on the account was his, the phone number was not and he was unable to confirm this to prove his identify. As well as receiving the items, he also received numerous letters about the orders, invoices for payment and then letters about setting up and then cancelling a direct debit. He was eventually able to explain the problem to someone and after a few different phone calls and returning all the items sent, we eventually heard no more about it. He didn’t lose any money as I don’t think the company would have had any of his card or account details.

This all happened about 4 months ago and then the other day, a large package was delivered for him containing a single duvet. This time from a company called Home Essentials. Again not something he ordered or a company he has ever shopped with.

I can’t for the life of me work out what is going on. Who could be benefitting from this if it is a scam? These are fairly low value items and DH has received them but hasn’t paid for them. No one has knocked on the door to ask for them back. Does anyone know what might be happening or heard of anyone else having a similar experience? It could all be a mistake but I can’t explain it. Although it hasn’t cost us anything, it’s a massive pain in the arse receiving orders that we don’t want and having to return them.

Have you checked his credit score and all his bank accounts?

Thank you. We’ve checked bank accounts which are fine. I’ve told him to do a check on his credit score but he hasn’t done it yet.

There was an amazon market place scam like this. The order against a name means that they can then add a "genuine" review for the product and say it is brilliant. I would expect to see this scam this on lower cost items generally.

Yeah, I think I’ve seen something about that. I suppose it’s a possibility and maybe the only thing that makes any sense. Would you already need to have an account with the company though? Or maybe not.
The first delivery was a pair of Nike sports socks though - not a product you would expect them to be desperate to bump up the reviews for!

Ambrose Wilson is a credit catalogue like Littlewoods I think. Someone may have used your husband's name and address to apply for a credit account in his name, placed a first order for some cheap items to be delivered to him, and then maybe ordered something more expensive to be delivered to another address?

I don't know exactly how it works but we stayed in a holiday cottage for a week and random items kept arriving for the address but different names.
I spoke to the holiday home owner and she said it had been happening for a while and to stick them in the shed.

I think it’s this. There’s a system where first orders can only be delivered to the account holder at the account address. But subsequent orders can be delivered to someone else at somewhere else…

A scammer was hoping DH would see the items as “free” and not bother to return them. This would then have allowed the scammer to place higher value orders for delivery to a different address.

Yes probably a high value one off order for a phone or laptop.

Thanks everyone - that would actually make a lot of sense. He will have to call Home Essentials tomorrow and then do check on his credit score.
I wonder if his data has been leaked from somewhere - seems strange that this has happened now for a second time.