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AIBU?

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Original poster

Accidents Helpline cold caller told me to get fucked!

131 replies

Primafacie · 29/12/2012 10:56

AIBU to post this here to name and shame that company?

They are calling us all the time. We have tried everything - humour, politeness, hanging up. This time I just lost it, and told the guy " I don't know how to impress on you that we don't want you calling. We don't even have a car. Please put your boss on the line so I can get my message across". To which he replied "Fuck you!", and hung up.

Smooth. Very smooth.

Gah. I was having a good day so far.

OP posts:
CaHoHoHootz · 30/12/2012 18:43

As already mentioned register with the telephone preference service. Also, report ALL unwanted calls to OFCOM. You need to fill out a short online form, it only takes a couple of minutes.
TPS and OFCOM details are here
Also follow up EVERY unwanted call (AND email AND letter) send an email to the company involved saying that you do not give them permission to send you any marketing whatsoever AND that you want all your details removed from any databases they may have. Tell them they must confirm that they have done this.

Also, get our details removed from 192.com. They get everyone's details from the electral registrar and list them online. You need to fill out this form for everyone in your household and send it in to them.

Also, remember that you must never give permission for anyone to use your details. Tick or untick those boxes!

I do all of the above and almost get no unwanted marketing. The more people that do it the better.

CaHoHoHootz · 30/12/2012 18:46

Your not our Blush

VicarInaTutuDrankSantasSherry · 30/12/2012 18:46

ah thanks tanith! i will have a look!

BeerTricksPotter · 30/12/2012 18:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

myfirstkitchen · 30/12/2012 19:29

I once got told to fuck off by someone at British Gas!

I said "I will. Fuck right off to the pub with my friend for lunch, enjoy the rest of your shift in the call centre"

This was me phoning to ask why no one turned up for my appointment.

Switched suppliers because of that.

Helenagrace · 30/12/2012 20:07

I have great fun answering these calls in a serious don't-mess-with-me voice with the words "this is an MI5 secure line. We are tracing your call. Where did you obtain your number?"

They usually vacate the line promptly.

Survey calls get told that I'd be delighted to help with their survey but I do charge £100ph for my time so if they could just give me the address for my invoice...

Cue line going dead.

Furball · 30/12/2012 21:10

this is also a

Itsafreefuckingcuntry · 30/12/2012 21:20

Furball, that was a great YouTube vid!

I too have Truecall though so don't get these annoying calls anymore!

LadyHarrietdeSpook · 30/12/2012 21:38

Helena - I'm going to substitute CIA for that. With my accent that will really put the wind up their sales....!

Bring 'em on!

Original poster
Primafacie · 30/12/2012 21:44

Furball :o

OP posts:
Bumply · 30/12/2012 21:53

I like stringing out calls from people trying to sell me conservatories.
They sound so disappointed when I inform I can sadly not be taking up their offer due to living in a 2nd floor flat.

Geekster · 30/12/2012 21:55

The last time someone called me from 'Microsoft' I told them I hadn't got a computer was quite amusing took the wind right out of their sail. They just said ok bye and never rang back. I always say we live in rented accommodation too.

AppleOgies · 30/12/2012 22:13

Have you ever seen that Liam on film where he is ex CIA and his daughter is kidnapped. He does this speech about hunting down the person on the phone. I'd be tempted to print that out and read it out to them.

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."

Okay it would need modifying a bit. But I hate these calls, and when they get aggressive (I too have been told to f**k off)... I tell them that all of my calls are recorded and that I will hand this one over to the police for investigation.

AppleOgies · 30/12/2012 22:13

Liam Neeson not Liam on!

sarahtigh · 30/12/2012 22:15

saying it is a listed building works well with double glazing conservatories and sky ( you need planning permission for the dish and they can't be bothered)

ask for their number and landlord or estate manager will ring you back

I am slightly deaf, but saying i did not catch that, sorry could you repeat, giving wrong answers

we do not get calls much ourselves but get calls for previous occupant who died 3 years ago aged 93, i am not convinced she was needing their services

them " can i speak to jemima puddleduck"

me " no"

them " why not when will she be back"

me "difficult to say not sure when next resurrection of the dead is due"

them " uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! "

AppleOgies · 30/12/2012 22:18

This reminds me of a call I get from a company that did conservatories... We lived on the 9th floor at the time!

Original poster
Primafacie · 30/12/2012 22:54

I know this is crass, but I am a tiny bit relieved (if surprised) to see how many here have also been told to fuck off by cold callers. When I first posted I tought it was very unusual, hence the exclamation marks. I see now that it's actually quite common. Which doesn't make it more acceptable - but at least I'm not alone in my predicament.

I'm making notes of all your helpful suggestions for dealing with, and preventing, such calls. I quite like the LN's speech, but call me a whimp am a bit weary of issuing death threats Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
Primafacie · 30/12/2012 22:56

I know this is crass, but I am a tiny bit relieved (if surprised) to see how many here have also been told to fuck off by cold callers. When I first posted I tought it was very unusual, hence the exclamation marks. I see now that it's actually quite common. Which doesn't make it more acceptable - but at least I'm not alone in my predicament.

I'm making notes of all your helpful suggestions for dealing with, and preventing, such calls. I quite like the LN's speech, but call me a whimp am a bit weary of issuing death threats Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
Primafacie · 30/12/2012 22:57

Oops, apologies, not sure what happened here

OP posts:
AppleOgies · 30/12/2012 23:11

I obviously wouldn't issue a death threat... But something along those lines. I quite like another poster's suggestion .

'This is a secure MI5 line, we are tracing and recording your call. How did you get this number?!'

Hee Hee!

IslaMann · 30/12/2012 23:35

My dad always answers the phone with "hello". Once he realises its a cold call he says, "you've come through to the control room, putting you through to the Chief Inspector now"Grin

whathasthecatdonenow · 30/12/2012 23:39

I got a call from one of those debt management companies saying that my details had been passed onto them because I was struggling with debt. I don't do debt, other than my mortgage, and told him so. I asked to be taken off his caller list. He called me a liar and said that everyone had debt and I was obviously in denial! I asked to be put through to his supervisor and got told to fuck off. Perhaps it is now in the training scheme for call centre staff.

PenguinBear · 30/12/2012 23:55

I always tell them I am a food takeaway shop and insist they give Me their order. They hang up quickly and it's great fun! Even the dc do it now Blush

Permanentlyexhausted · 31/12/2012 00:08

Press a few numbers on your keypad whilst they are on the phone and then say "Officer, this is the nuisance call I have reported".

The only calls we ever get are those recorded ones telling us they have a very urgent message about PPI. I never get real people phoning us at home, even though we've never done the TPS thing.

I once had someone from a PPI claimback firm call me on my mobile at work. He refused to believe I had no debt, no credit cards, nothing. After he'd refused to believe me a couple of times I said "Look, you moron, you might be stupid enough to spend money you don't have but I'm not. Remove my details from your database and DON'T EVER call me again. DO NOT EVER call this number again." I hung up and turned round to see everyone in the office sniggering at their desks. Seemed to do the trick though!

RailRoaded · 31/12/2012 00:17

OP

I googled and there is a company that has accident helpline as their website but also refers to Accident Compensation Helpline. Not sure if this is the same company as they claim they never cold call. I've copied and pasted from the contact us page.

If this is the company or you track down the right one you can complain in writing and ask for a payment for your distress (at the cold calling and swearing) and inconvenience (being intruded on at home and then being forced to complain to them - £50 to £100 would seem fair.

Claims management companies are regulated by the Ministry of Justice who pay be interested to hear of the tactics employed.

Head Office:

Suite 210 Queens House, Queen Street, Barnstaple, EX32 8HJ

Registered Office:

69 High Street, Bideford, EX39 2AT
Company registered in England and Wales No 5311328

Email: [email protected]

Please send marketing enquiries to: [email protected]

Accident Compensation Helpline is committed to providing the highest standards of service at all times, but if you are not happy with our service we would like you to let us know about your concerns, please see our Complaints Procedure.

Accident Compensation Helpline does not do cold calling under any circumstance.