It was welcome news to see that politicians are finally waking up to the need to tackle the menace of unsolicited cold-calls. Treasury minister John Glen has said he wants to ban pensions cold-calling ‘as soon as possible’, while Conservative MP Stephen Kerr introduced a private member’s bill that would give consumers more control over unwanted calls from strangers.

Loopholes in existing legislation mean too many people are bombarded with unwanted calls, many of which are aimed at vulnerable people, including the elderly. Most calls are about energy-saving and home improvements, PPI and accident claims, debt management and payday loans.

I am sure that most of your readers have received cold-call approaches, either by email, text or phone call, or even in person. They are intrusive; they are constant, harassing and very annoying.

The cold-calls made by so-called ‘claims farmers’ encouraging people to make compensation claims are governed by rules which fall short of an outright ban. I cannot understand why the government allows them to continue in this way. They harass innocent members of the public and also innocent victims of accidents. It is beyond my comprehension why this continues to be allowed despite a majority view against such calls.

I therefore urge anyone who is injured in an accident to use a law firm accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. Please do not be dragged into making a claim by responding to cold-calls, as such actions can only encourage this insidious behaviour. A ban would stop this harassment. It is the victims of accidents who can and should decide for themselves whether or not a claim is in their best interests.

Robert Harvey, senior associate, Furley Page, Canterbury

Topics