Fraud Alert: Urgent Warning

[SS from The Rhondda]

I am posting a copy of an email I have just received on the Bristol and Somerset Rootsweb Mailing List:
Dear All,
I thought I should alert everyone who might have used Research UK in the past to purchase certificates, etc.     I have just discovered that £50.00 has just been taken from my bank account by Research UK in St. Leonards.

I have not dealt with them for at least two years.

Through searching we have discovered that Research UK was sold to Ancestor Detectives based in Hainault, Essex about two weeks ago.   We have spoken  to them and they say they have received a number of telephone calls from  people who have had money removed from their bank accounts, and that it is  causing them enormous problems.  They have put it in the hands of Sussex Police.

We have just been talking to the Fraud Office at Sussex Police ourselves, who are instigating a crime investigation. Should anyone need it, the  number for Sussex Police is:   0845.6070999.  They were extremely helpful.

My advice to anyone who dealt with Research UK is to check their bank accounts as obviously this is very serious indeed.

Regards...

[Mobo]

 

Thanks for the warning SS - I don't think I have ever used these people in the past, but how awful that your account was invaded in such a way.   

Only today there was a TV programme featuring the new crime wave in stealing people's identities through the contents of  dustbins - I for one shred everything and I mean everything, but what a way to live eh ?  - always having to be one jump ahead of the criminals !

 

[SS from The Rhondda]

Thanks for the warning SS - I don't think I have ever used these people in the past, but how awful that your account was invaded in such a way.

Mobo - I wasn't the one who had the money taken from my account. I am just forwarding someone's email from the Bristol and Somerset mailing list.

[Mobo]

 

WHOOPS !!  SORRY  -  DIDN'T SEE THE TWO LINES AT THE TOP OF THE POST - SILLY ME !!

 

[Jaki]

I have used Research UK. Anyone know what to do about it from Australia. Just checked my credit card and there has been over $A200 taken deducted from it ....

 

Jaki

[Boongie Pam]

Contact your credit card provider immediately to report the theft.  Give them the info in SS's post above and see what they advise.

Pam

[Jaki]

thanks doing it now

[Carmela]

Advice from Admin. of Bucks Mailing List, re: credit card fraud.

VThere have been a number of messages around the lists
reporting unauthorised withdrawal of funds from credit card
and
bank accounts connected with the company Research-UK, now bought by
Ancestor
Detectives.

Sussex Police will collate all reports on this.
Please contact their CRIB - Crime Recording Investigation Bureau on
0845
6070999.

They've now set up a reference number for the reports -
quote 587 on 3 March.

They *can* be contacted by email on contact.centre@sussex.police.uk ,
but as
they have one person dealing with email, and 50 on the phones, they
suggest
those in the UK use the phone!>

Hope trhis will help anyone who has been a victim.
 
Carmela

[billy56]

My friend in Australia used these services last year but cancelled the order as it was taking so long. I sent her copy certificates etc and she has had no dealing with them since last August. On Tuesday she emailed to say an amount of 221 dollars had been taken from her account, plus exchange fee.
She has spoke to her bank in Adelaide and they are stopping transaction and raising an enquiry.
I was horrified to hear this from my friend but even more horrified now. This is appalling, its obviously theft and taking advantage of people but also casts a shadow on the services we offer.