Is this a scam e-mail?

Question

I received an e-mail from hperry@mclaughlin.org.uk, saying that I owe money and am in debt. I have never owed money and never borrow money. He said he is acting on behalf of a company called Alfa Laval Ltd. (which is real as I've just researched it). I suspect this is a scam as there is a link to follow for the invoice, which I am not following as it looks suspicious. However, the thing that worries me is he said he has sent a copy of the invoice to my address (he has included my old address on the e-mail). How did he get this information? I have copied the e-mail below, removing my full name, the dodgy link and my old address. I have research the sender but can't find a lot of information. What do you all think?

E-mail copied below:

Dear Sophie __________,

Regarding the amount due 447.64 GBP, we act on behalf of Alfa Laval Ltd in order to collect the outstanding account value of your debt.

We would like to remind you that the amount above was due for payment on 27.03.16 but as no payment has been received, your invoice is now considered as overdue. Please find a printable version of your invoice at the following link:
_________________________________

Original invoice will be sent out to:
________________
________________
________________

In order to avoid further costs, please forward the payment to us and transfer the amount due not later than 15.04.16

Yours truly,
Henry Perry

Kittysue · Answer

Don't do anything. If they send the letter to your old address, you won't get it anyway. They have to inform you of a debt by mail, not email, to make it legally binding

If you do get a letter at your current address, you send back a letter via certified mail with a signature required upon delivery that you do not acknowledge the debt, you have never had any business dealing or debt with a company called Alfa Laval Ltd, and that they have the wrong person. Keep a copy of this letter and the delivery confirmation. If they try to take you to court for a CCJ, this letter can be shown to the judge as proof you disputed the debt and then they are legally required to show the original paperwork showing it's your debt such as a signed contract or agreement

Alfa Laval is a company manufacturing industrial machinery and they do not have business directly with consumers so there is no way the debt is yours.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/how-to-dispute-a-credit-debt/how-to-dispute-a-debt/

? · Answer

i've received similar e-mails before.  and since you yourself have never borrowed money or asked for money from that company, it is more than likely scam.

are you keeping a track on your credit score?  maybe look into that.  i know in the US, you can get a free trial from Experian to get your credit score.  it's a two week trial.  while you give them your credit card info, just call before the trial is over to cancel it before your charged.  i've done that a couple times to check up on it.

you can also look into credit karma.  that website is completely free and gives you a good idea of what your score is.  it draws from two sources - equifax and transunion.  i use it and so does my father.  look into that to track your score.

misterdressagequeen · Answer

It's a scam. They are spear phishing you. No place would demand money through email anyway.

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Is this a scam e-mail?

3 Answers