Gransnet forums

Legal, pensions and money

phone calls about accidents.

(31 Posts)
Fennel Thu 26-Jul-18 12:23:08

Has anyone had any of these? If so, what did you do about it?
I've had 2 . The first I told she must be mistaken. But the second was 2 evenings ago when I knew husband and daughter were driving on the M25 in this heat, and I was worried about them.
She said something that made me think they'd had an accident and I screamed "our car is in an accident?". At which the call stopped.
TG husband rang soon after to say they were ok.
But really, someone could have a heart attack on hearing that.

notanan2 Fri 27-Jul-18 16:34:28

yeah you could say that you DID have an awful accident and in fact died, please could they tell Roger that you love him and watch over him, and tell Janet that her lost necklace is behind the dresser.

Fennel Fri 27-Jul-18 16:28:20

If I have another call like that I'll tell the caller she could really cause a fatal accident.
As with me on Tuesday evening.
She did cut the call when I screamed.

notanan2 Fri 27-Jul-18 13:04:54

Monica I have had one who insisted that I (my name) had been a passenger in a bus crash.

He was quite insistent.

Sometimes they use quite specific scripts. It works better than "have you been in a crash lately" because the 1 in 50 whose experience matches that script believes that they know more than they do

BlueBelle Fri 27-Jul-18 07:37:42

I got asked out to dinner once but as the guy sounded about 16 and had a strong Indian accident I thought it might be too far to go
I ve been sworn at badly mind you they have a thankless task don’t they (not the scammers) the cold callers I just imagine them sitting in some hot noisy room being abused all day

M0nica Fri 27-Jul-18 06:53:02

Notanan The reason I still think they had DD name but not number is because they argued with me over it and kept saying that I had had a car accident, no matter how much I said I hadn't.

It was not a call like the usual speculative call. We get those as well. They were quite clear about the name of the person involved.

My daughter was seriously injured and later received quite substantial compensation, but her claim was dealt with by a local firm of solicitors with a specialist personal injuries solicitor. The case was quite complicated because the insurance company contested the claim, which she won. Had she used one of these claims companies she may well not have received such good service or as much compensation.

NfkDumpling Thu 26-Jul-18 20:40:34

My landline is with Sky and I have Sky Shield which has stopped all nuisance call. My mobile however, is a different matter. The accident lady is a regular caller and I’m beginning to wonder if I really have had an accident and forgotten it!

notanan2 Thu 26-Jul-18 19:44:56

Someone had obviously got her name from some accident report

Nope they ring everyone about their "recent accident" as statistically they will often get someone who has been in one, but they don't know who has/hasn't before they call.

notanan2 Thu 26-Jul-18 19:42:57

whenever they ring me about "my accident" I say
"was I? oh my goodness it must have been bad because I have completely blocked it out, when was it?"

Then they swear at me and hang up. Sorted.

Dolcelatte Thu 26-Jul-18 17:16:15

I am afraid that I hung up at that point!????

Fennel Thu 26-Jul-18 16:40:19

ps so what did you say to him?

Fennel Thu 26-Jul-18 16:39:44

"Once I said which of the four accidents are you referring to, and they got very excited and put me on to a senior manager!"
grin good one!

Dolcelatte Thu 26-Jul-18 15:53:36

I have had lots of these and my response varies, depending on my mood. Sometimes I just leave the call to run, but don't say anything, sometimes I tell them to get lost but in much ruder terms, sometimes I say ye, it was very serious, it was fatal, I am playing my harp now. Once I said which of the four accidents are you referring to, and they got very excited and put me on to a senior manager!

Liz46 Thu 26-Jul-18 15:44:39

Hang up (if I am in a very bad mood, I may say a couple of words first) and block the number.

M0nica Thu 26-Jul-18 15:40:05

About a year after DD's accident I had a call about 'my recent accident'. I assured the caller I hadn't been in an accident the caller then argued with me that yes, I had, I kept saying no I hadn't and finally rang off. Now it happens DD shares the same first name as me and as she is unmarried the same surname as well.

Someone had obviously got her name from some accident report, but no contact details and traced me online, not knowing that DD invariably goes by a shortened version of her name, so a search on her full name would always fail

ninathenana Thu 26-Jul-18 15:02:09

Depends on my mood, last time I asked her to give me the date of the accident, she continued her spiel I asked again and she hung up.
Most satisfying ?

pollyperkins Thu 26-Jul-18 15:00:46

I had 2 of those yesterday to Cornergran. Apparently my bt broadband had been compromisex and would be cut of in 24 hrs if I didn5t respond. I put the phone down. Hasn't happened yet!

BlueBelle Thu 26-Jul-18 14:54:31

The accident ones I have great fun with if I have time I ended up telling the last guy I was very concerned about the accident he’d had he got quite annoyed trying to tell me he hadn’t had an accident
My friend had a great line she just said ‘ oh do you mean the accident I was killed in’

cornergran Thu 26-Jul-18 14:23:47

As are the ones saying the internet account has been compromised. We had three of those yesterday. All from different numbers. So annoying and potentially dangerous for the unwary.

HildaW Thu 26-Jul-18 14:20:57

P.S. we have had a message left recently that said something along the phone line has been compromised and subject to criminal activity and to press 1 to be put through to appropriate department.....that too is a scam...DO NOT!

HildaW Thu 26-Jul-18 14:18:10

A well known scam...they are fishing to see if you just might have had one and then will tempt you into making a spurious claim - the sort that can lead to you being chased by an insurance company for huge legal fees when they show its not what it seems as despite what they say...its you making the claim NOT them.
We usually ignore but there is satisfaction (if you are bored) in overacting and yelling...'I was? gosh...when ....do tell.....oh dear......and generally winding them up! (Yes, I've done it once.....nothing much on the telly)

Melanieeastanglia Thu 26-Jul-18 13:36:58

I just put the phone down.

annsixty Thu 26-Jul-18 13:23:55

I had one a couple of days ago to tell me my phone line rental is going down £5 A month , good I said, so who are you with said she.
Well you obviously know who I am with as you are ringing me from them, during the silence I put the phone down.
Sorry to deviate.

Jane10 Thu 26-Jul-18 13:19:44

Sounds like fun TerriT. I love making stuff up!

TerriT Thu 26-Jul-18 13:13:53

When I have received a call like this just like the ones about computers I play along if I'm at a loose end. My answer to the 'accident' I've had I make stuff up and put in about not being able to remember where it was or when etc because the knock I had on my head has made my memory go! They give in the end so I have a laugh as a bonus. Same with the computer ones.when they ask me can I see my screen and what can I see I say a picture of the queen.and go from there! Yes I know I'm sad but it only takes a minute and you'll be surprised at the stupid answers that you come out with.....go on,try it. They always hang up!

Willow500 Thu 26-Jul-18 13:09:12

Get them all the time - it's always the same recorded message but with a different caller name. If you say anything it goes dead then passes you to a human.