Electric blanket trick a shocker

ELECTRIC blankets are supposed to make you feel warm and comfortable – not hot under the collar.

This was the sensation experienced by a reader when he received one through the post from an unscrupulous trader.

George was taken aback when the unexpected parcel landed on his doorstep on June 27.

With the blanket was an invoice for £259.99 payable in 14 days.

There was no return address with the packaging or invoice but there was a phone number. George called it but there was no answer.

In fact he carried on calling it for the next three weeks but the phone was never answered.

Fraudster

Then he was sent a debt collection letter saying he had seven days to pay in full or face court proceedings. Again, George tried to call the number without success. All then went very quiet.

Another letter arrived on October 11. This time it contained court papers claiming payment of the £259.99 plus £125 solicitor costs and £25 court fee.

George, from Sheffield, contacted me for help and I told him immediately that this is a scam.

But rather than taking his money George is in the unique situation because the fraudster is the one that has lost out this time.

Here’s why: George did not order the electric blanket, so this is classed as “unsolicited goods”.

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 state that where a consumer receives unsolicited goods they are treated as an unconditional gift.

This means that you do not have to pay for them or return them.

These court proceedings are, therefore, doomed to failure.

It is also worth mentioning that George has now seen the same electric blanket for sale in Argos for £109.99. In contrast to George’s story, Helen, from Leeds, was sent two pairs of trainers by sportswear giant Sports Direct “by mistake”.

She asked me if she was entitled to keep them.

I advised her that she was not because they had been sent to her in error. Sports Direct were therefore entitled to get them back or receive payment.

But Helen did not have to pay the cost of sending the trainers back. She could tell Sports Direct they can come and get them.