What is this scam?

[Yellow Saddle]

We frequently get calls at home purporting to be about an accident that happened about two years ago. I can't get to the gist of it because they hang up each time my questions become too probing. Today I managed to question the caller for about 1 minute by pretending to be interested but he again hung up once he realized I'm onto him. Today he claimed he was based in Liverpool when I asked but hung up when I asked for a postcode.
I can smell a scam a mile away but this a smell I can't quite identify. Fishy or scaley?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

......and if you pi$$ them off, they sell your name and phone number to other scammers. Best to just hang up.

Too late.....

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Thanks. I get it. It makes sense.

 

[jefmcg]

I once briefly engaged one of these people. According to him, there's a government agency giving out phone number of people who have been in accidents, but due to "data protection" they don't get the name of the person, the date the accident occurred or the nature of the accident.

 

[Andrew_P]

Someone at work responded with a yes, he had an accident on his scooter two years ago. He was passed on the accident firm, who after taking the details gave him an appointment at a Hotel got there and it was a large mass processing day blocked booked people in 15 minute segments like a factory line, Dr's etc. He got £1500 from it and was heavily coached and the details of his injuries and losses heavily manipulated for him the insurance company didn't put up any fight. Bloody awful disgrace they can do this.

I have been on the receiving end of one of these in public liability and and the impression the loss adjuster gave me was unless it is a claim that is north of 50k the insurance company won't put up a fight as the risk of losing and getting hit with all the costs plus the damages means it is often cheaper to write a cheque and ultimately cover it with everyone's increased premiums

 

[CopperCyclist]

Best to pretend you are a business. They won't sell your number then, and won't bother trying to sell whatever they are selling.

Phone rings...
You "Hello"
Them "hi, I'm ringing about your accident..."
You (best sales voice) "I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong number - this is Steve's Auto Repair?"

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Best never to answer the phone.

I go an extra mile: my landline phone is disconnected, in a cupboard, and I block all unknown numbers that call my mobile.
Bliss!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

[QUOTE 4216921, member: 259"]And just what is this thing called a landline?[/QUOTE]
Something you apparently have to have if you want a broadband connection with Virgin

 

[classic33]

Best to pretend you are a business. They won't sell your number then, and won't bother trying to sell whatever they are selling.

Phone rings...
You "Hello"
Them "hi, I'm ringing about your accident..."
You (best sales voice) "I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong number - this is Steve's Auto Repair?"

Better still

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I normally just hang up when I get these, the ones that tend to p*** me off are the silent calls, the ones where I answer but nobodies on the other end, I get them once in a while and they are annoying.

 

[classic33]

I normally just hang up when I get these, the ones that tend to p*** me off are the silent calls, the ones where I answer but nobodies on the other end, I get them once in a while and they are annoying.

That's a "line checker", checking the number is still active.

 

[Brandane]

I go an extra mile: my landline phone is disconnected, in a cupboard, and I block all unknown numbers that call my mobile.
Bliss!

Same here. And the same reason for keeping a landline, in the hope that some time soon I might be able to do away with that too, or pay much less for it.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

That's a "line checker", checking the number is still active.

Thats interesting, but why would they keep checking the line? Mind you it gets used more for internet than phone calls these days.

 

[classic33]

Thats interesting, but why would they keep checking the line? Mind you it gets used more for internet than phone calls these days.

Different companies usually. Just tap one key repeatedly.

 

[sheddy]

silent calls ? play them at their own game - silent answer...