Calling all super sleuths, would-be Sherlocks and armchair detectives - here's a puzzle for Sunday.
Last Monday, out of the blue, Tuffnells turn up in a big lorry and ask for 2 boxes to be collected. No idea what it's about so look at the label and see that the receiver is MH Star. Told him I have nothing to be collected and off he went. Get on the blower to MH Star (who I've never heard of before) and they proceed to tell me that I placed an order with them via their website on 16th October at 4.29pm for a 'traditional freestanding kitchen cupboard, which was also delivered on 18th October according to the tracking information. They had my name, address, mobile number and an email address however... this was '[email protected]' an email address I've never used. They were not able to tell me how the order was paid, whether credit or debit card, paypal etc. They also told me that 'I' had contacted their live chat on 14th November to advise that I had received damaged goods! On two other later dates in November, they had also had communication from 'me' to a) ask for a refund and b) ask for a collection.
By this time I was losing it somewhat as no matter how many times I told them that I have never heard of MH Star let alone purchase anything from them, and that I did not have any damaged goods to be collected, they insisted that they had an order from me, sent to my home address blah blah blah.
Finally, after they said they would escalate this issue I spoke to another member of their customer services department who said she would cancel the collection but that I wouldn't receive any refund (fine by me as I didn't order any goddamn cupboard!).
Incidentally, around the same time (a few days earlier), I did buy a similar product from a private seller through Ebay - no relation to MH Star at all. And item was absolutely fine.
I called bank and advised them of the situation and they have taken various measures and consider this to be phishing. What I can't undestand though is the scammer's motive. They purchase something directly with MH Star using my details, though I don't know how they paid (I have not seen any amount taken from my bank account), maybe they have some other person's bank details? MH Star is given my address for delivery though I never received anything from MH Star - only the one from Ebay around the 20th October. I then get Tuffnells turn up last week to collect 2 boxes to go back to MH Star. (Of course there is no communication by email or mobile - apparently MH Star do not communicate with buyers unless buyer specifically requests... huh?! And even if they did by email, the email they have is not one of mine.)
What's the benefit for the scammer? If they have purchased the goods using someone else's bank account, and they want to fraudulenty obtain extra money with a fraudulent refund, don't they realise that companies will only refund upon receipt of damaged goods and as I have never received anything and therefore have nothing to be returned, a refund would not be generated.
It's all very strange. For me it's imperative to manage protection of accounts and password security etc, and I've reported this to Action Fraud, but also I'm just curious as to how the scammer thinks this scenario is going to benefit him/her? Anyone want to put the pieces together or come up with some suggestions?