Following a minor road accident in November 2010 I began receiving calls from third party claims firms, notifying me that the insurers of the person responsible had put aside funds for any injuries sustained by myself and/or family. I was receiving calls on average three times a week, and because most call numbers were with prefix 0161, I was able to ignore most of them. However in recent months the volume calls ratcheted up and the few I took became increasingly keen for me to make a claim.

I find the whole sorry scenario morally bankrupt, pushing up premiums and encouraging dishonesty. Despite always refusing to participate in the conversation and asking them to remove me from their list, they still called. So I changed tactics. When asked if there was any distress or injury caused by the accident, I pause and reply "well yes, there has been an ongoing irritation since the crash that makes me uncomfortable". They sound encouraged and ask for details. "Several times a week I feel a sense of dread, and suffer periods of deep anxiety, with an overarching sense of being harassed", and I ask if "mental injury is covered by the insurance" at which point the caller begins to get excited.

When pressed for more, I deliver my final shot "I am being harassed by a third party encouraging me to make fraudulent claims and its making me ill. I want to make a claim." The call ended and I have received no more since.