Have You Received Scam Texts Advising You to Claim Compensation? [8th Dec 2011]
A study conducted by the Direct Marketing Association has found that nine out of ten people in the UK find scam texts regarding compensation schemes distressing or concerning. The study of 1,000 people discovered that these types of scam texts are the most common type. 205 people said that they find the messages inconvenient and 61 felt it caused the significant distress. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has commented that their crackdown on these types of messages had made some impact and they are receiving fewer complaints. Simon Entwisle from the ICO has said that they have raided an office and are working with mobile phone operators to find out who is behind these messages. In addition insurance companies are being audited to make sure that the details they hold about people are not being sold on unlawfully. 800 of those questioned said they had received a spam text for accident compensation schemes. A drunk driver has been ordered to pay his victim £1200 compensation rather than go to jail. Saulus Svelnis from Latvia had only been in the UK for two weeks when he collided with Kathleen Baker causing her a serious whiplash injury and preventing her from going to work for several months. It was later discovered that the driver was three times over the legal drink drive limit at the time of the accident and he fled the scene to avoid conviction. The car he was driving had been stolen from his housemate and was written off. In addition, Ms Bakers insurers only paid her half of her cars value. Svenlis admitted going for a drive after consuming a bottle of vodka and having no insurance or drivers licence. However he was spared jail and received a deferred sentence as long as he pays the victim compensation. A 74 year old woman from Staffordshire has been awarded a substantial sum after doctors removed her stomach unnecessarily. The woman had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2004 and had the surgery soon after. However it was later discovered that her test results had been wrongly interpreted and her tumour was in fact, benign. Her lawyer has commented that the payment will be used to finance her care. He points out her doctors did not tell her what had happened and she found out indirectly through another member of staff at the hospital. The woman has now lost a significant amount of weight because she is forced to eat tiny meals. She also has little energy and feels her retirement plans have been affected. Her lawyer added that the hospital involved needs to show that they have taken steps to avoid this happening again. A man who claimed that a car crash had left him brain damaged and unable to talk has been filmed driving his car and working out in a gym. Michael Richards was in an accident which left two people dead. He received head injuries which were believed to be minor. However in order to receive a compensation payment of £2.3 million Richards lied about his injuries and claimed to need a carer. He was examined by a doctor and failed to answer questions coherently. Later that week he was interviewed by police on another matter and spoke fluently. The man has been jailed for four months this week and two members of his family have been given suspended sentences for their part in the deception. The High Court heard that even if he had been truthful he still would have received a £20,000 compensation package for his legitimate injuries. The Motor Insurance Bureau, who took Richards to court have commented that this was a clear warning to other fraudsters that the courts will not tolerate this behaviour. |
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