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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be panicking about this?

23 replies

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 12:58

I have always been on three pay as you go. Only pay £10 a month.
Over the past few months, I have received a variety of letters from three saying that I owe them money. It's in my name but the sort code and account numbers are always different, and of course, I don't even have a contract with them as am on PAYG.
The first time this happened I went on the live chat and he didn't seem to really understand but told me it would stop. All was fine for a few months when today I get another letter, in my name again but yet again, with different sort code and account number saying I owe them more money with a default notice letter attached. Once more I spoke to someone on the live chat and they said to ignore the letters as I definitely don't have a contract with them, also that they did not recognise the sort codes and account numbers in these letters I am receiving. They have told me yet again that there isn't an issue but I have heard this all before. Has this happened to anyone else ? I don't think it's a scam as has the official lettering and everything. It makes no sense but is obviously upsetting to keep receiving these letters. If it were a scam surely it would be online too?

OP posts:

Doggymummar · 31/07/2023 12:59

Can you take it to a 3 shop?

Clarich007 · 31/07/2023 13:01

That does sound annoying.
Would it be possible to go into the shop.? I've always found it more effective face to face. Good luck

IAmAnIdiot123 · 31/07/2023 13:03

Sounds like a scam to me, whatever you do, don't call any numbers on the letters, find the number online first and use that

Maybe take the letters to the three shop but remember anyone could fake a letter head.

BibbleandSqwauk · 31/07/2023 13:04

Almost certainly a scam ..the "official lettering" can be done by anyone with Word. Either ignore it take to a shop. Don't panic.

Original poster

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 13:04

I guess I will have to if it happens again. Just worry the bailiffs will come knocking as it's my name and address on all the letters. Makes zero sense.
It was confirmed that my only account is the PAYG one and as I said, the payment details are different in every letter too. I wonder if someone is using my name to take out accounts.

OP posts:

Clarinet1 · 31/07/2023 13:06

I’m pretty sure it’s a scam - serious fraudsters will have no problem duplicating/scanning/replicating convincing-looking logos etc. Just ignore; if 3 have some kind of real problem with you (which I’m sure they don’t as you are on the PAYG) they will contact you with the correct details.

Holdontowhat · 31/07/2023 13:06

I had something similar but with an insurance company. They had made a mistake and it was meant for someone with the same name as me. Ring them on an official number you find online as PPs are saying and not on anything you find on the letter, just incase it is a scam

ToDoListAddict · 31/07/2023 13:08

Can you get an email address for Three and send them copies of the letters asking for clarification. If someone is fraudulently requesting money in their name surely they need to investigate?

Original poster

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 13:09

I just don't get how the default notice letter would be there if it was a scam.
Also, even if it was a mix up, that wouldn't explain why the sort code and account numbers always change.

OP posts:

MereDintofPandiculation · 31/07/2023 13:14

I wonder if someone is using my name to take out accounts. Could be. That would explain the changing account numbers. Happened to DS once.

Sort it out with your phone company, and also do a credit check to see if anything else odd is going on.

Original poster

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 13:17

Good call on the emailing them with the letters. Will do that as well.

OP posts:

TinySaltLick · 31/07/2023 13:23

What sort code and account numbers? The ones it is asking you to settle via? Or ones claiming are yours which have been used to set up a contract?

It is either a scam, or maybe ID theft. I would keep a copy of all the letters, send them to three via email, but potentially also speak to action fraud?

When speaking to three I would do it on email so you have a record as opposed to the live chat

Original poster

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 13:34

Ones claiming that they are mine and yet they differ with each letter.
The live chat sent an email of the chat transcript so I have that.
I also emailed three with the letters. Just need this to stop. Getting the letters is so anxiety inducing.

OP posts:

Leftphalange100 · 31/07/2023 13:37

I imagine if it was someone taking out accounts in your name, three would see those accounts when searching your name in their database? So if they are only seeing your PAYG, I wouldn't be too concerned but as someone else suggested I'd nip into the shop and ask to speak to the manager in person.

DelilahBucket · 31/07/2023 13:40

I would get checking your credit file immediately OP. This sounds like someone is taking out contracts in your name. Three wouldn't have found these accounts when you called them as they only look up your phone number.

FooFighter99 · 31/07/2023 13:42

@Annalisatheantelope you need to check your credit file and make sure no one has opened a credit account with Three in your name. If they haven't, I'd just assume it's an admin error and ignore the letters. But definitely check your credit file to be on the safe side. You can do it for free with Clear Score

MammaTo · 31/07/2023 13:59

I would say to check your credit file with someone like Credit Karma or Clear Score to see what’s set up there.

Original poster

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 19:02

They have said the accounts dont exist with the sort code and account numbers given. Really weird and frustrating.
I'm worried the bailiffs will show up.

OP posts:

LumpyPumpkin · 31/07/2023 19:08

What do you mean by sort codes and account numbers? Are the bank account details? It would seem very odd for 3 to write you letters with what is supposedly 'your' bank account information on.

Have you googled the phone number on the letters/default notice letter?

What are the letters asking you to do?

Original poster

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 19:12

The sort code and account number that is associated with the phone contract so yes, bank details.
They are asking me to pay outstanding bills

OP posts:

Curseofthenation · 31/07/2023 19:15

Unfortunately Three cannot make the letters stop as it is quite clearly a scam. Also, if you're paying £10 a month on PAYG then you may as well get a sim only contract. Three do 2gig a month plus unlimited calls and texts for £10 I believe. It's much more cost-effective in general. I'm with Lebara, who are even cheaper.

I hope Three put your mind at ease soon.

Original poster

Annalisatheantelope · 31/07/2023 19:16

The number is 03333381031. Will google it later. Off to work in a bit.

OP posts:

TinySaltLick · 31/07/2023 20:51

Loads of reports like yours:

https://who-called.co.uk/Number/03333381031

Almost certainly a (reasonably) elaborate scam.

Don't worry about the bailiffs - it will never happen, it is just a empty threat to try and scare you into paying.

100pc check your credit files as others have said to confirm it isn't id theft and keep records of everything. If three themselves have confirmed you have no outstanding bills then you can safely ignore the whole thing, although I would record via action fraud so you have a reference there also.

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