Have you ever received a compensation claim text message? These days it seems that just about anyone with a mobile phone has, at some time, received such a message. Why do you receive these messages? Should you respond? Could it be genuine?
Why do I receive compensation claim text messages?
You may have received such a message even if you haven’t been involved in an accident. Why have you received the text? Quite simply, your mobile telephone number has found its way onto a cold calling database.
These database lists are bought by claims marketing companies. These companies then send millions of messages. The compensation claim text messages are often sent from a computer system based outside of the UK. The companies involved send so many messages in the hope that a few will ‘hit the jackpot’ and result in a response (sometimes via a premium rate number).
What if I receive a compensation claim text message after an accident?
The majority of people who receive a compensation claim text message have not been involved in an accident. The truth of the matter is that unless you have been injured in a non-fault accident you are not entitled to compensation!
Some people receive compensation claim text messages after they have genuinely been involved in an accident. This could be because their insurance company or someone else, such as the repairing garage, has passed your details on to a claims company.
It may, however, be the case that you have received the compensation claim message purely as coincidence. You may have received the text message simply because your telephone number has made it’s way onto a cold-calling database.
Should I respond to a compensation claim text message?
If you have genuinely been injured in an accident, and are considering making a claim for compensation, you may be tempted to respond to a compensation text message. Should you respond?
Genuine personal injury solicitors do not send cold-calling text messages.
If you receive such a message it is on behalf of a company that is breaking the rules! If you are considering making a claim would you really want to respond to a company that is, even before your claim begins, breaking the rules that regulate how personal injury claims are made?
Our advice is to ignore any compensation text message that you receive and, if you do wish to obtain advice about making a claim, contact a reputable, genuine personal injury solicitor directly for advice.
Click here for more information about the difference between claims companies and solicitors.
I have received a compensation text but I’m not sure if it is from my own solicitor
Sometimes, people who are already pursuing a personal injury claim will receive a compensation claim text message. It can be confusing to receive such a text if you know that you have already made a claim.
You may be unsure if it has come from the opponent insurance company or if it is genuinely related to your existing case.
If you are already making a claim for compensation and you receive a compensation text message you should not respond to the text. Instead contact your own solicitor for advice. Your solicitor will be able to reassure you as to whether the text is connected to your existing claim or whether it can safely be ignored.
What can I do about unwanted compensation claim messages?
The Information Commissioner’s Office can take action against companies which break the rules by sending spam compensation claim messages. Indeed, just a few days ago a claims company was fined £270,000 for sending unwanted messages.
What can you do if you receive unwanted compensation claim messages?
You can report nuisance calls and messages to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Always remember: personal injury solicitors are not allowed to send compensation claim text messages or to make cold-calls.
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers’ Can the Spam campaign sets out further details and encourages people to report this unwanted behaviour. The video below gives further information.
What should I do if I want to make a claim for personal injury compensation?
Contact an independent, regulated, personal injury solicitor for advice.
If you need advice about making a claim feel free to contact us for advice. We will give you independent, no obligation, no-pressure advice and we absolutely guarantee that we will not bombard you with unwanted calls or messages.