The Claims Guys at it again

Dave-o

Hi All

Just received my sixth phone call in two days from these guys on 0203 1671196.

When I answer, no one speaks at the other end. Not a brilliant sales technique, I must admit.

I contacted them to remove my number and received this response:

Our understanding is that you have opted in to receive information about financial products and services.

If you can provide me the number that we have called you on so I can request your details are removed from our database

Kind regards
Emma

As far as I am aware (although it is certainly possible that I may have missed one tick box on a form or site somewhere), I have never opted in to receive information about financial products and services from The Claims Guys or anyone else (indeed, no one else has been contacting me on my mobile and I very rarely receive junk mail). I do also query whether they are stretching the definition of "financial products or services" with what they offer.

In my view, continued phone calls where no one speaks when you answer, together with the use of my details without my express consent is pretty bad form and surely breaches heaps of rules / regs / laws.

Does anyone have any idea which regulators and / or government departments should know about this, if any? In fairness, if they never call me again, I think that will suffice. Just wanted to raise the issue and put the number out there again in case anyone else gets hassled.

I have tried blocking the number but it still rings once - darn it.

Cheers all.

Dave-o

Handsome90

You could try registering your mobile phone number at telephone preference service (TPS). It is a central opt out register for unsolicited phone calls. Here is the link http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

Even after registering, you are still getting those calls, then you should make a complaint to TPS. If that doesn't help then you could make a complaint to Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), who have more power.

I'm sure someone will be able to assist you better

Hope that helps!

Dave-o

After pressing for an answer as to how they got my details, I received this:

Your number was provided by a company called Call Connection.

When we have investigated it does appear that the name they have provided does differ from your own.

We are verifying with the third party if this is a result of a mistake when the number has been input

Your details have been removed from our database and I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused

Kind regards
Emma

Seriously.

fluffnutter

Handsome90 wrote: »

You could try registering your mobile phone number at telephone preference service (TPS). It is a central opt out register for unsolicited phone calls. Here is the link http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

Even after registering, you are still getting those calls, then you should make a complaint to TPS. If that doesn't help then you could make a complaint to Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), who have more power.

I'm sure someone will be able to assist you better

Hope that helps!

This is sound advice but wouldn't have helped in this situation because the call's not unsolicited. The details have been deliberately passed to the company by Call Connection (albeit as a case of mistaken identity) and TPS will only help with unsolicited calls. It's still worth registering though.

The main way to keep your number as 'clean' as possible is to never give it out! Obviously this is difficult but it's wise to be incredibly careful about giving your number, particularly on the web. For example, if a site has your email address to use if they need to contact you, then they don't need your mobile number too. Use a false one, e.g. 01234 567890.

antrobus

fluffnutter wrote: »

... For example, if a site has your email address to use if they need to contact you, then they don't need your mobile number too. Use a false one, e.g. 01234 567890.

Yes, that's very likely what somebody did. They supplied a 'false number' that just happened to be the OPs.

fluffnutter

antrobus wrote: »

Yes, that's very likely what somebody did. They supplied a 'false number' that just happened to be the OPs.

True, it can have its downsides! How about 01111 000000?

Dave-o

Despite stating that they would remove my number from the list they are still calling - having rung once last night and twice today.

I have reported the matter to the Cheshire police who, I am sure, have better things to do.

I have also signed up to the TPS and wonder whether, now The Claims Guys know they shouldn't be calling, they are now calling in an unsolicited kinda fashion. I think I need to allow 28 days for the TPS registration to kick in.

mgfvvc

fluffnutter wrote: »

The main way to keep your number as 'clean' as possible is to never give it out! Obviously this is difficult but it's wise to be incredibly careful about giving your number, particularly on the web. For example, if a site has your email address to use if they need to contact you, then they don't need your mobile number too. Use a false one, e.g. 01234 567890.

01234567890 appears to exist. At least the number rang when I tried it. There is a list of safe numbers to use at www dot ofcom dot org dot uk slash telecoms/ioi/numbers/num_drama (sorry, new users can't post links)

lincroft1710

mgfvvc wrote: »

01234567890 appears to exist.

If it does exist it's a Bedford phone number.

Azari

mgfvvc wrote: »

01234567890 appears to exist. At least the number rang when I tried it. There is a list of safe numbers to use at www dot ofcom dot org dot uk/telecoms/ioi/numbers/num_drama (sorry, new users can't post links)

Clickable link: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/numbers/num_drama

Mrs_Trumpton

This company seems to have been operating like this for some time. They may ring you several times a day.

They are known to do accident claims but have branched out into pp claims.


They seem to have the number of anyone who has had a road accident, either from the insurance company or, stated on one board, the police.


This may break the Data Protection Act if you have not given permission for financial firms to ring you after having, or reporting, an accident. The Freedom of Information Act does not apply as they are not a public organisation.


It looks like Ofcom is either doing nothing,or cannot keep up with the changes in names that this company has. TPS does not seem to work.


If you get a call from rhis number, try entering in your phone log marked 'Do not answer ' for a warning for any future calls.




If you do answer by mistake do not give them any information, even your name.




Either say nothing... Put the phone down and walk away or claim
to be someone else as they can just pass any information on to other companies if they cannot do business with you.


Give them a false name. Next time someone rings you and asks for that name, give them another one. And so on...