Warning against dodgy debt letters

A WARNING has been issued by trading standards chiefs today after a number of Suffolk residents were sent bogus debt collection demands.

The notices, which come from AstraDelph International Debt Collection, threaten non-payment of the debt may result in legal proceedings, a county court judgement or doorstep collection.

Gordon Soames, of Finbars Walk, east Ipswich, received a notice demanding £450.75 for unpaid electrical items which AstraDelph International claimed were ordered from their client amikanaelectronics.com.

However, the 58-year-old has never heard of the company. And Mr Soames' parents, who live across the border in Essex, have received the same threatening demand for the same amount.

He said: “At first, when I saw the notice and the heading about litigation proceedings, I thought 'oh my god'.

“Then I saw it was supposed to come from the Czech Republic and I noticed the overall look of the letter appeared to be a standard design and could have been printed off on someone's computer.

“I was able to check on Google, but elderly people who don't have access to the internet can't do that.”

Reg Ruffles, assistant county trading standards officer for Suffolk, said: “If you haven't bought anything from the companies named in the letter, why would you have a debt to settle?

“The only thing to do with these letters is destroy them. Do not take any other action.

“We have received a number of enquires relating to AstraDelph over the past few days. We have forwarded details to the National Office of Fair Trading Scambuster team to follow up.”

The notices state AstraDelph International is based in Prague in the Czech Republic, although the company is untraceable on the internet.

For more information visit www.consumerdirect.org.uk or call 08454 040506.

Have you been targeted by fraudsters? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblink:

www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/suffolk