UK Users - Help a Fellow ATer Out?

[Fenixgoon]

So I received a letter from a company called Estate Research in the UK (I live in the US for what it's worth, can't imagine international mail is cheap) who trace family trees for beneficiary purposes. They have offices in Wigan and London. Are these people real? What's the best way of determining their legitimacy?

Edit: and if you live in Wigan or London and wouldn't mind checking out their addresses,that would be even better

 

[IBMJunkman]

They appear to have a legit website. Are they looking for you to give you info or do they want you to use them to look for someone? Do you have rich relatives in the UK?

https://www.estateresearch.co.uk/

 

[Fenixgoon]

They appear to have a legit website. Are they looking for you to give you info or do they want you to use them to look for someone? Do you have rich relatives in the UK?

https://www.estateresearch.co.uk/

They contacted me to provide info. I haven't been asked for money....yet, hah.

 

[RossMAN]

They contacted me to provide info. I haven't been asked for money....yet, hah.

In the event this is a phishing scam, make sure to at least use a disposable e-mail and/or Google voice number. If it's a scam you may notice an increase in scam attempts, of course they already have your name and physical mailing address.

 

[Quintessa]

If the letter mentions a website and you're sure it isn't a fake/phishing site etc, you may ask the website support to clarify the authenticity of the letter. I think it is a faster way than sending a reply letter.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Round file it.

No reply at all.

 

[mikeymikec]

I don't live anywhere near there, sorry.

The strategy I would use is to talk with someone in the (law) business about how such a company would go about verifying your identity and how you can protect yourself in that process.

 

[BoomerD]

Hey...who knows...maybe you have a rich British uncle you never knew about...and he died leaving you a huge castle and millions of £££.

 

[WelshBloke]

It appears that they are a legitimate company.

ESTATE RESEARCH LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

ESTATE RESEARCH LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

This does not however mean that they aren't a bunch of con men.

Their trust pilot rating is mixed to say the least.

Estate Research is rated "Average" with 3 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Estate Research's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 12 customers have already said.

www.trustpilot.com

I don't have any experience with them myself but I'd certainly not give them any money or too many details. If they are involved in a legitimate claim they shouldn't be asking for too much.
My suspicion is that they won't try to rip you off but are just contacting people do they can charge some poor sods estate for a bunch of unnecessary legal fees and effectively transfer someones wealth to themselves.

This has some good advice.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-7635977/Heir-hunting-firm-says-owed-inheritance-scam.html

 

[IBMJunkman]

Hey...who knows...maybe you have a rich British uncle you never knew about...and he died leaving you a huge castle and millions of £££.

Just the OPs luck he gets the castle but no money. Those things are expensive to maintain. 😊

 

[Fenixgoon]

Just the OPs luck he gets the castle but no money. Those things are expensive to maintain. 😊

I'd absolutely sell. Maintaining my current house is a PITA enough, and it's definitely nowhere near castle sized!