Plagued by witheld numbers

[Anonymous]

I had a minor car accident about three years ago and lately have been plagued by calls from ambulance chasers.  I am TPS registered and the caller witholds their number. The names they give for teh companies are never traceable via the Internet (Latest one tonight was a supposed ACH)  I have tried telling them that I have no business with them and to remove me from their database but still the calls come.

I understand that it is illegal to make harrassing and witheld number calls like this and am quite prepared to take legal action against the company involved.

I understand that like the 999 services (UK) O2 have access to all witheld CLI numbers. How do I go about getting this information from O2 so that I can take private legal action?

[Anonymous]

As many of these calls originate from overseas, it's almost impossible to deal with it. As a last resort, you could ask O2 to change your number, but even that wouldn't guarantee that the problem wouldn't reoccur at some point. 

If it's the same company that's responsible, they'll soon get the message though. I sometimes get those calls from India claiming to be Microsoft, but seeing as I don't actually own a Windows PC, I quite enjoy showing them up to be the obvious scam that they are.

[MI5]

Surely it's about time that important organisations such as doctors and hospitals stopped withholding numbers then?

[jonsie]

It definitely is time, although on occasions my GP  and specialist call me and the number is displayed. However these are private numbers that don't accept incoming calls. 

[perksie]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I don't think that you understand. O2 most certainly DOES have access to caller ID on their logs even if witheld the same as the emergency service have.

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I do indeed, O2 cannot give you the numbers. 

[Cleoriff]

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@Bambino wrote:

Difficult to block withheld numbers. Hospitals and doctor's surgeries normally withhold their numbers. 

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As do hospitals and other large organisations who operate through a central switchboard

[jonsie]

Answer....If it's a scam call just let them babble on,their money not yours. They will soon terminate the call if you don't speak. I don't really see a problem,just press the button or let them listen to the TV. ...

[Anonymous]

The 'problem' is that I don't know if it's a scam call until I answer it after dragging myself away from whatever I am doing and I really can think of better games to play.

Anyway I have traced the accident management company who dealt with the original claim (Kindertons) and it seems they are well known for these antics so it's either them making the calls or else they have illegally passed my details on. I've drafted them a very stiff letter warning them of their criminal abuse of customers data and also quoting the Protection from harrassment act 1998 so I'll just have to wait and see what happens now.

[jonsie]

Let us know how it goes. ..

[gindygoo]

Any news? How was your stiff letter received?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the interest. I wrote to the accident claims management company (Kindertons) and received a reply to the effect that they absolutely agreed with me that the calls were unacceptable and swearing on their mothers eyesight that the number and my details did not come from them as it would quite clearly be a breach of data protection.

Guess what? The calls stopped dead within a day!