Be careful using those comparison sites

SusanM_3

In October I used most of the well known Comparison sites to get car renewal quotes. One of the questions I was asked was if I'd had any car accidents in the last 3 yrs. As I had, I gave the necessary information. I have received at least twelve calls from a company called Action Claims. Either they ring and don't answer (probably a computer generated call?) or they refer to my accident and say they can get me compensation. The only people who know I've had an RTA is my solicitor, my ins. co., and the comparison sites. I did ask the chap who phoned whether or not he had got the info from one of the Comparison sites I had used and he confirmed this to be so. The little box you tick to say you don't want info passed on, is sometimes quite hard to find. This has really put me off using Comparison sites. That info regarding my RTA was for any insurance company to have NOT these "Ambulance Chasers".

I have emailed the Comparison sites to voice my concerns but whether they will do anything I doubt it. Just be sure to tick the box that says you don't want info being passed onto Third Parties.

dunstonh

Some comparison sites do sell your date for marketing but they are usually quite clear about that and give you the usual tick box to opt out.

missile

I imput false e mail, address and telephone number

SusanM_3

Yes, Missile, good idea! Just had another call from them but obviously a computer generated one this time as no one spoke. Also had a reply from one of the Comparison sites who are looking into it for me. Maybe if enough folk complain and there are quite a few complaining about this company on another site, something might be done? I can live in hope!

SusanM_3

Well since I contacted the Comparison sites I have used and told them about this company, I haven't received any more calls. Fingers crossed then?!!

shelly

missile wrote: »

I imput false e mail, address and telephone number

I understand giving false email and phone number but address? How do you get accurate quotes if you give out a false address? Do you give them your neighbours?


SusanM. You can register with the TPS (telephone preference service) for free so if they keep hassling you, you can tell them you are registered with TPS and if they call again you will (and can) report them.

KarenBB

shelly wrote: »

I understand giving false email and phone number but address? How do you get accurate quotes if you give out a false address? Do you give them your neighbours?


SusanM. You can register with the TPS (telephone preference service) for free so if they keep hassling you, you can tell them you are registered with TPS and if they call again you will (and can) report them.

TPS works to stop companies just buying your number from listings and cold calling you. It doesn't work for companies outside the UK. If you don't tick the box to say you don't want companies to call you they can and they will (I've made that mistake myself) so TPS wouldn't work in this case. I've been with TPS for years and only started to get calls again about 6 months ago and these are from overseas where TPS can't do anything. If there's a pause before the person speaks it's a computer thats called an dthen put you onto an available person. If this happens me and my children mess with the person calling and waste their time. DD tells them who's been to visit and things like do you know where to get cheap bananas just silly stuff they quickly hang up and you've not got stressed. I changed my name years ago so if they ask for Mrs Old name we know it's a cold call to and mess about. None of this stops the calls but it's less stressful than getting angry which is what I used to do.

Thanks for the tip about really looking for the don't pass on my information SusanM I think that's why I got calls at one point as that was after using a comparison site.

SusanM_3

Shelly thanks, yes I'm already registered with TPS. As KarenBB has pointed out, it wouldn't have worked in this case as it's the box you need to tick when using the comparison sites. They really need to make these clearer on those sites! TPS doesn't work as already pointed out for companies outside the UK. My friend does exactly what KarenBB suggests and winds them up, finds it less stressful by far. Not had any calls today :T

mjm3346

I use caller ID and screen with an answering machine so those type of calls never get answered. They at least get charged for the call and it may take a while but eventually they all give up (even homeserve)

SusanM_3

Well I spoke too soon didn't I? I had yet another call this afternoon who were either from Beatthatquote or had been passed the info by them as that comparison site was mentioned. It was a different number to all the previous calls I've had so maybe there are more to come? :mad: I intended to talk about the price of bananas but Victor Meldrew took over!

SusanM_3

Well looks like the mystery is solved. Beatthatquote have confirmed to me that they used a company called Chameleon Telesales who are a sister company of Action Claims plus Beatthatquote were also phoning me. The calls should now stop. :T
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