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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to NOT call these people? Strange letter in the post

61 replies

NCstrangeletter · 01/07/2020 12:44

Got a letter in the mail this morning from a company called "SearchSquad" asking me to help trace someone.

Has anyone ever had one? The company website is vague and they seem to work with individuals and big companies, so debt collectors and random people looking to find someone.

For background, I have a stalker. However as far as I am aware he knows where I live, my name etc as he is a relative that does the school run (thankfully, he seems to have stopped since lockdown.

AIBU to NOT call these people to confirm who I am?

OP posts:
Original poster
NCstrangeletter · 01/07/2020 12:44

Oh, and here is the letter.

AIBU to NOT call these people? Strange letter in the post
OP posts:
allthewaterinthetap · 01/07/2020 12:49

That has 'scam' written all over it. Ignore.

ChangeThePassword · 01/07/2020 12:49

Yanbu. You are under no obligation to respond to a request like this.

I would be too curious and would have to phone to find out more, but I totally understand why you wouldn't I got circumstances, and to be honest it wouldn't even matter if you didn't have a stalker. If you don't want to, don't.

MingeofDeath · 01/07/2020 12:50

Ignore and bin.

AriettyHomily · 01/07/2020 12:51

Straight in the bin for me. If they are legit they need to sort out their letters! How can a number with a code be free?

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 01/07/2020 12:52

You do not have a responsibility to respond and, considering you have a stalker, I wouldn't get involved. It sounds dubious. Just ignore it.

vodkaredbullgirl · 01/07/2020 12:53

ditch the letter

Ylvamoon · 01/07/2020 12:53

Ignore. Best case scenario they are actually fishing for information on this person, worst case they are scammers!

slipperywhensparticus · 01/07/2020 12:54

Is it your name?

Check your credit report

DPotter · 01/07/2020 12:54

There are websites where you can input a phone no and it will tell you if others have reported it. Would be wary about even phoning as could be a premium no and you pay mega bucks for the privilege of sitting in a queue

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 01/07/2020 12:57

If you respond they will know for definite your whereabouts and it may be you that someone is enquiring about.

Just ignore.

In addition, have you actually reported your stalker to the police? I would and I would also inform the police about this communication.

GiveMeStrengthOrAHobby · 01/07/2020 12:57

Website is there but thats not to say its not a front. In your situation i would be concerned your stalker is looking for you, so i would ignor. Bin, shred, post it back with not at this address opened by accident all over it. Your safety should be your first concern

hadtojoin · 01/07/2020 12:58

It's a scam www.checkcalls.co.uk/check/0148450

MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 01/07/2020 12:59

I think I would contact the police and discuss this, In the light of you having a stalker.

safariboot · 01/07/2020 13:01

If they're not prepared to say in the letter who they're actually looking for, then I would have no problem ignoring it!

lidoshuffle · 01/07/2020 13:02

There's no such company registered and neither number shows up on the "Who Called Me" site which you'd expect if it were a proper company.

It sounds like an individual targeting you specifically OP.

UltimateWednesday · 01/07/2020 13:03

This looks very much like a scam but a friend did once get a letter from a search agency, that eventually resulted in a very substantial inheritance from an unknown relative.

AnnieMaul · 01/07/2020 13:05

No obligation at all to respond. These companies rely on people being a bit dim, vulnerable or too curious to ignore them.

We used to get ones that looked like the Royal Mail "Sorry we missed you" cards. They always had the previous owners first name on it saying they'd missed a parcel and to call to rearrange delivery.

When you googled the number it was a debt collector, obviously hoping to secure a time when they'd be home.

Anything vague, whether by post, or a voicemail that doesn't explicitly state who it's from and why they're contacting you gets ignored.

romdowa · 01/07/2020 13:06

Had a quick Google and some people are saying they are some kind of debt collection agency. Best to just ignore it

MyOwnSummer · 01/07/2020 13:06

What type of postage did it have on it, OP? The reason for asking is that this screams "scam" and Royal Mail will take action against suspected scam mail.

FGS keep the letter as evidence, even if not actually a scam this could be linked to the stalker. You need to hold on to it in a safe place. And don't call them, because once you do that you have confirmed your location to them which is exactly what they want - probably not for any reason that would be good for you.

Hoppinggreen · 01/07/2020 13:08

Phone number is local to me OP, is there an address?

Ohtherewearethen · 01/07/2020 13:11

Looking at that letter I am 100% certain it is a scam. It's vague, they've included an exclamation mark where it is unnecessary, it's not professional looking. It's utter nonsense. I bet if you phoned them they would say they're looking for the beneficiary of some estate where the person has died, etc, all you need to do is send off all your identifying documents and bank details and they'll give you the million quid. It's absolutely a scam.

AnnieMaul · 01/07/2020 13:12

Something to consider OP, not to worry you but one of the services they list is Matrimonial Surveillance

"MATRIMONIAL SURVEILLANCE

Cheating partner or spouse via mobile and static surveillance with video or photo evidence"

Perhaps report this on the basis that you have a known stalker. Is there a chance, however slim that they could be using this kind of thing to monitor you on the false pretence that you're a spouse/partner?

Idratherbeasleep · 01/07/2020 13:13

I got this exact letter a few years back, was also dubious and ignored it. Never heard anything or got anymore after

Snarkastic · 01/07/2020 13:16

No no no don't ring/email them.
Any legit company would have a full explanation of what it is (and even then it could be bollocks).

ALSO: I just googled the number and this comes up (posted by previous poster upthread):
www.checkcalls.co.uk/check/0148450

"Letter to my address, Addressed to person I've never heard of, asked me to contact them to help trace someone. I should contact them and they will clarify why they have contacted me. Smacks of fishing. Put addressed name into Google and person with this name found guilty of fraud lasst year! I will keep the letter but take no action on it. "