Hundreds of consumers have been contacting Consumer Direct & Action Fraud regarding letters they have received from MCO Capital Ltd trading as Help Loan, Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway London WC2B 6UN concerning a demand for repayment of a loan for £513.

Consumers have complained they have not applied for the loan and believe the letter may be some kind of scam.

Trading Standards are aware many postings on the internet are giving incorrect information accordingly.

MCO Capital Limited is a genuine loan company based in Finland with a registered office address in Westminster.

Westminster Trading Standards are investigating.

This company was featured in the Daily Mirror on 9th Sept.

It is believed that a number of consumers may have had their identity stolen and fraudsters have used these details in order to make fraudulent online loan applications.

In most scams, our advice would be to throw the letter in the bin. HOWEVER in this case if consumers have received one of these letters, we advise that they DO NOT IGNORE IT.

MCO have asked that complainants should write to them care of the above address and confirm that a loan has not been requested and payment has not been received.

Trading Standards also advise that they conduct a credit reference search to ascertain if any fraudulent applications have been made. We would suggest contacting the two main agencies Equifax and Experian to make sure that their credit ratings have not been affected..

If consumers have lost money due to fraud or require advice on preventing identity theft, they should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2010 or visit www. actionfraud.org.uk