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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Those 'We heard you were in a car accident' cold callers

145 replies

notwonderwoman · 14/02/2018 11:58

Not really AIBU because I don't really care but ...I've been getting so many of those strange cold callers telling me I've been in an accident I've started to have a bit of fun when they call. It's been going on for about 18 months now at least and I can't get rid of them.
This morning one called me up and I started singing 'Baby one more time' by britney down the phone to them. The sour voiced woman still kept asking me if I'd been in an accident Grin I said maybe I bumped my head? And kept singing. She hung up.

The other day another one called me, I tell them they really should get a better job and they are worth more then working for a sham company (the companies don't even exist if you google them) and she still kept asking the same questions. Poor love.

Another one called me up when I was on the toilet. I'll let you guess what I told them.

How do you deal with them? Smile

OP posts:
girlsyearapart · 14/02/2018 12:00

I tell them I’m too upset to talk about it and sniff loudly
Or start speaking French
Feel for people doing that job though I used to do double glazing telesales and it was crap

JeNeSuisPasVotreMiel · 14/02/2018 12:00

I put my spanish friend on the line to them (handily she was sat next to me). She rattled away for a bit until they put the phone down on her.

But how is this even a way to make a living?

haba · 14/02/2018 12:00

" Yes. It was very bad Sad.
I died."

Sad
Rebeccaslicker · 14/02/2018 12:02

Gah, I had one who was adamant I was lying to him and "concealing" my accident.

Eventually it came out he thought he was talking to my DM, who'd died just a couple of weeks before.

I told him this. There was a pause. Then he actually said....

"And was that in a car accident?"

Fucking fucking arsehole!

endofthelinefinally · 14/02/2018 12:05

I have had a lot of these recently.
I just tell them politely that they have been misinformed and end the call.
It is very annoying I agree.

mrssmooth · 14/02/2018 12:05

These annoy me too! One time I asked them to tell me where the accident happened (they couldn't give me that info), what car I was driving (they couldn't give me that info) and when the accident happened. So I said "You've called me to tell me that I've been in an accident but you can't tell me when, where or what car I was driving? So how, actually, do you know I've been in an accident?" They hung up.

Another time, I said "Yes, I have been in an accident". They got very excited and started asking questions. I replied "I'm really surprised you have any information on it at all. The accident happened over 20 years ago. In Greece." (True!!) Again, they hung up.

Why is it that they all sound like they are standing in the middle of a windy carpark too?!! Grin

Lucked · 14/02/2018 12:06

I quiz them a bit "tell me more about this accident?" "What do you mean you don't know you brought it up!"

I

Dancingfairy · 14/02/2018 12:07

They are so angry aren't they, when they call. I have a woman who sounds very angry that always calls me even from as soon as I answer. "This is [x] I've heard you've been in a car accident, is that right?" But said with such aggression.

bluescreen · 14/02/2018 12:07

I know someone who says: "I'm so glad you called. I want to tell you about Jesus..."

PoorYorick · 14/02/2018 12:07

I had some fun with them until I realised they're just wage slaves and hate the job even more than we do. So now I just say, "No I wasn't, please don't call again" and hang up.

PoorYorick · 14/02/2018 12:08

Rebecca, that is pretty crass though.

Dolphincrossing · 14/02/2018 12:09

Please, just put the phone down.

I hate them too but then I once found myself on the other side of the fence having to do a shit job for next to no money and being spoken to like shit by people made me so unhappy.

ankasi · 14/02/2018 12:09

I usually ask them whether it was with my Bentley or with my Rolls Royce, they usually hang up after that.

Cauliflowersqueeze · 14/02/2018 12:09

Just keep repeating “where did you get my number from?” And “you do NOT have permission to contact me” “I want my number removed from your company’s contact list and your personal reassurance that that has been done immediately”.

Or

“Weird, I heard your whole family died in a car crash this morning.”

mumonashoestring · 14/02/2018 12:09

Usually I just ask again for the company they're calling from and they hang up to avoid being asked to remove you from their call lists.

If I have a bit more time though... Recent example:
"I'm calling about a recent accident that wasn't your fault"
'Aww, it's so nice of you to say that! Do you really think it wasn't my fault?'
"Well..."
'Because I was hammered - I 100% should not have been driving that bus'

Original poster
notwonderwoman · 14/02/2018 12:10

I'm well past the being polite stage. I did that for too long.
When you're getting them on your mobile and landline it's time to step up your game.
I'm hoping one calls me on my mobile and another on my landline at the same time so I can let them speak to each otherGrin

No, they can never tell you when the accident was or any other information about it. And they are extremely robotic when they speak to you , no emotion In the voice at all just the same question "can you confirm you have been in a car accident" no matter what your answer is! I'm thinking of what I can say to the next one Wink

OP posts:
Baubletrouble43 · 14/02/2018 12:10

DP had one of these on his mobile 9ish saturday morning. He'd "done " the night shift for me ( frequently waking twins with colds) and had only fallen asleep at about 6. I think my message may be deleted if I repeat what he said Blush

Cauliflowersqueeze · 14/02/2018 12:11

I feel irritated by people ringing asking if I’m interested in double glazing or whatever (although since I’m ex directory it hasn’t happened in ages) but people who ring up to actually lie to me about how they are following up a car accident are beyond the fucking pale. How DARE they. Plus they could easily frighten an elderly person with their bullshit lies.

VaguelyAware · 14/02/2018 12:11

Cold Caller introduces themself, calling about an accident, blah blah blah.
Me: When was that then?
Cold Caller: In the last two years.
Me: But which one?
CC: Sorry I can't confirm the exact details due to the DPA.
Me: But if it's my data, surely you can give me some clue?
CC: Sorry but that's our policy.
Me: Well I don't remember which one.
CC: Have you had an accident in the last two years?
Me: I don't remember a specific accident but if you've got details of one...
CC: (getting frustrated now): Do you drive?
Me: No and I'm not stupid either. Bye. (I hang up, laughing.)

Original poster
notwonderwoman · 14/02/2018 12:13

And yes, they are aggressive. Always. If it was someone with a good telephone manner I'd be equally polite in return.

OP posts:
Rebeccaslicker · 14/02/2018 12:13

These days I just say, "no and please take me off your records" and hang up.

But that one was a long time ago when these sorts of calls were still new to me - I couldn't believe that was his response!!

VaguelyAware · 14/02/2018 12:14

I always keep them on as long as possible. On the basis that if they are talking to me, they aren't harassing someone else. I do the same with "Talk Talk" callers as well.

SleepySheepy · 14/02/2018 12:17

I also find this infuriating. I've done a few things, ask them how they know I was in an accident and for details like a PP. I've been hung up on for that too. I've asked them to remove my details and confirm I won't be contacted again, I always get more calls afterwards. I've been angry with them, I've also just hung up as soon as I realise who they are. I block every number that does it now in the hope it might stop at least one other call.
I know the people doing those jobs aren't enjoying themselves, but I'm not either when they're wishing for me to have an accident so I don't feel bad if I decide to question them or have a bit of fun. I might try some of the other suggestions above next time it happens.

Wornoutbear · 14/02/2018 12:18

I always do the "which car are you talking about" and wait for them to tell me - which of course they can't.

Seeline · 14/02/2018 12:19

I've been getting loads on my mobile and they really are robots. Very well spoken and polite I didn't notice straight away the first time. Very annoying though as you can't wind up a robot.