Somebody has (erroneously rather than maliciously, I think) used my email address to register with an online clothes site.

I contacted them to say it was wrong and to please delete it.

They came back and said I needed to lodge a fraud report. I told them I didn’t think it was fraud just an error.

They’ve now come back and said that they can only delete my email address if I supply them my name and address. I’ve responded that I don’t know how that’s of any use to them - especially as I could be anywhere in the world.

The root cause is that these companies don’t validate email addresses when people register. I’ve made the mistake myself before - an error and that’s it - unless they send a validation email to the address. Clearly this company didn’t.

Anybody any experience or guidance on this apart from just insisting they delete it?

Is it a scam Richard?

No I don’t think so. I’m reasonably sure that the same person has made the same mistake before. The website is legit (JD Williams) and the person’s address is real (Ramsey in Cambs) and the order looks really mundane.

In fact, checking, they’ve made the same mistake about 3 times in the last 4 years - same name and same address and mundane stuff. I might write them a letter asking them to be more careful.

Login, reset password... You can as you have access to the email address. Check the account info and then deactivate it

Ah - now I really like that thinking - thank you.

Missed a trick there....

Log in, choose "forgot password", get the new password, log in, change the delivery address so you get all their orders - choose which you keep as compensation for all the hassle - send the rest back for a refund after changing the card details

(I'm kidding BTW - the above is almost certainly very illegal...)

Do you he might be 999 for a reason Nigel?

I was thinking of a middle ground, log in, reset password, (don't change the address), order loads of random stuff.

Nice one!

Yes - the site is for plus size female clothing for which I have limited need (although perhaps I could experiment on the cheap )

Too late now - mention of the information commissioner got the desired response and they’ve deleted my email address.

A gentle reminder that all replies to this should make an effort to follow forum guidelines pertaining to being available to read by the general public

Aye Simon, I was tempted but on reflection, I thought that there may be a more informed expert for this type of attire.

Now that's the kind of thinking I like, and would advice on a recorded public form that you should most defo (not) do