Calls and texts claiming you can claim for the accident you've had

YoBear

I had three successive texts over months from different numbers saying variations of the above, with a figure of £3650

I didn't reply to the numbers though I did reply STOP to one and the most recent from +44 7934272352 I replied 'Thanks, can I have your details please?'(though it did ask me to reply CLAIM) as I wanted to get to the bottom of this for two reasons:

I did in fact have an accident earlier this year however no one else was involved and it was just that, an accident!

Seeing I did attend hospital a few days later due to a intense pain in my elbow from the accident that was not letting up, I wondered if my local hospital had sold my number?

I finally got a call today from 021 3166 5140 (though the guy's accent was Indian) from someone asking for the same info i.e. Their records show that someone had had an accident and would be entitled to compensation.

I said I would release such information if he could advise of his company. he replied my details had been passed by, "Accident Injury Brokers Limited" I asked where they were based. First he said Yorkshire and when I pressed him, he said Coventry.

Bizarrely enough the main number for our office has been called twice today by another Accident Claim Company.

What's the world coming to?

Anyhow, does anyone know if hospitals release basic accident details and secondly, has anyone heard or know of the firm (though I expect it to be fictitious).

Finally, any good stories out there and strategies to stop them texting or calling? (I did read in one of Martin's newsletters NOT to reply STOP - by then it was too late :think:)

vuvuzela

I get loads of these. I have not been in an accident in years. Just delete them.

Olokia

It is a scam. the only thing that you can do it ignore them and delete them. Replying to them will only let them know that it is a valid number and will send you more.

They have absolutely no idea that you had an accident. They were just lucky when they came across you. The hospital will not have given out the details

fluffnutter

The insurance companies and peripheral businesses involved in insurance claims, e.g. car hire firms, sell your details to ambulance chasers. Just delete all messages from them. Don't text STOP - you might get more because your number will be flagged as in use. If anyone calls, ask them to take you off their database and hang up.

There are no good stories btw.

pmduk

YoBear wrote: »

I had three successive texts over months from different numbers saying variations of the above, with a figure of £3650

I didn't reply to the numbers though I did reply STOP to one and the most recent from +44 7934272352 I replied 'Thanks, can I have your details please?'(though it did ask me to reply CLAIM) as I wanted to get to the bottom of this for two reasons:

I did in fact have an accident earlier this year however no one else was involved and it was just that, an accident!

Seeing I did attend hospital a few days later due to a intense pain in my elbow from the accident that was not letting up, I wondered if my local hospital had sold my number?

I finally got a call today from 021 3166 5140 (though the guy's accent was Indian) from someone asking for the same info i.e. Their records show that someone had had an accident and would be entitled to compensation.

I said I would release such information if he could advise of his company. he replied my details had been passed by, "Accident Injury Brokers Limited" I asked where they were based. First he said Yorkshire and when I pressed him, he said Coventry.

Bizarrely enough the main number for our office has been called twice today by another Accident Claim Company.

What's the world coming to?

Anyhow, does anyone know if hospitals release basic accident details and secondly, has anyone heard or know of the firm (though I expect it to be fictitious).

Finally, any good stories out there and strategies to stop them texting or calling? (I did read in one of Martin's newsletters NOT to reply STOP - by then it was too late :think:)

I've had exactly the same text, shortly after an incident in which I was attacked. It was sent to a spare phone and it was only when I realised the hospital didn't even have that number, that I recognised it as a spam.

LisaB85

I get these, none for months then about 3 in 2 weeks I just delete them but not sure if they are sent from the same number, I used to be able to block numbers from my old samsung phone but not sure if I can do that from android?

jimjames

Various mobiles I have get these messages. They are just randomly generated on the basis that 1 in a thousand will reply.

browneyedbazzi

They send the same message to thousands and thousands of random numbers hoping that one or two people will fall for it and text/phone back. Total scam artists.

That said, I do think some hospital staff illegally sell on patient details - shortly after leaving hospital where I'd had surgery on my hip, i received a call from a company that sells mobility equipment offering me a home assessment. The number they called was my home number which is not listed (and never has been) on any directory. The only people who had the number were my parents, the hospital and my employer. They asked for me by name and said they knew I'd just come out of hospital and made it sound like the hospital had referred me to them (which I knew was untrue because in reality I didn't need any mobility aids and had been specifically told not to use any by the hospital physio). I told them to go away (in a very pleasant manner of course) but I know of a lot of elderly and vulnerable people fell for similar tactics and ended up being visited by salespeople who pressured and tricked them into buying extremely overpriced mobility equipment which they didn't need or could have received free through the council.

YorkshireTraveller

Report them to to ICO (Information Commissioner's Office).

They will then add the complaint to other complaints on the same issue and tie up complaints about the same phone (text) number.

I've done this on several occasions and the ICO have been very helpful.

the_big_fact_hunt

i had one the other week... "according to our records etc etc", i replied (unusual for me) with "stick your records up your !!!!!"