Breakdown

20 Replies

When my landline rang earlier today, I was in 2 minds as to whether or not I should answer it. Other than my mum, few people call me at home, most of my arrangements to meet with friends being made either via email, face-to-face or, occasionally via text message.

My home number is not in the Directory so no one (other than those I choose to give my number to) should know it. However, for whatever reason, my number has fallen into the hands of scammers who entertain me from time to time with their antics.

Returning to today, I determined to answer my landline:

Me: “Hello?”
Unidentified individual: “how are you today?”
Me: “OK”.
Unidentified individual: “your breakdown cover has expired”.

I was, of course concerned that the breakdown insurance I have for my guide dog needed renewing. How could I have been so absent minded as to forget to pay my annual premium for breakdown Cover to Dogs Are Us Breakdown Insurance LTD. I knew that I ought to have set up an automatic direct debit so as to ensure that the cover renews without me having to take any action, but chose not to do so.

I was, of course deeply concerned that no mechanic from Dogs Are Us Breakdown Insurance LTD would come out where my guide dog to develop a mechanical fault, consequently I reached, straight away for my bank details and provided them to the nice gentleman at the other end of the line.

I must go now as I need to check whether my bank account has been debited in favour of Dogs Are Us Breakdown Insurance LTD …

20 thoughts on “Breakdown”

  2. Victoria Zigler (@VictoriaZigler)'s avatarVictoria Zigler (@VictoriaZigler)

    Isn’t it fortunate you answered the phone? I’m glad to know you’re covered again, should Trigger break down at any point. LOL!

    I was informed by a recent unexpected phonecall of my own that I was involved in an accident while driving recently. It must have been terribly traumatic for me, since I’ve obviously blocked the memory. However, I was assured by the person who urged me to take legal action that I wasn’t seriously injured, and will make a full recovery. Isn’t that reassuring? My car was apparently not so lucky. Such a shame… I loved that car! Never-the-less, I decided not to take legal action, despite the fact it clearly wasn’t my fault, since I’m such a careful driver. 😉

    Reply ↓
    1. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

      You had me in stiches, Tori! Its good to laugh! Next time you take a drive, and in order to avoid any mishaps, I shall, free of charge lend you Trigger. He barks once for “turn right”, twice for “left”, 3 times for “stop”, and howls continuously if you are about to have an accident! Kevin

      Reply ↓
    1. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

      Indeed these people are real pests, Robbie. I am sorry to hear that you receive the same kind of calls and, of course we bloggers have to deal with the joy that is spam! Thanks for your comment, Kevin

      Reply ↓
  4. V.M.Sang's avatarV.M.Sang

    You made me smile.
    I keep getting calls telling me my computer has a virus, problem or something. As we have 3 computers in the house, I ask, which one? That confuses them. They often put the phone down.
    The clues for scam or spam calls are: as your person said, opening with ‘how are you today?’ Or someone with an English name, but with a sub-continent accent.

    Reply ↓
    1. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

      I’m glad I made you smile, Vivienne.

      As you say, there are clues as to whether someone is a scammer, and you helpfully point out several of them.

      I also have had calls telling me that my computer is infected with a virus and, like you I tend to hang up, although I like your response to the scam caller “which one?”

      I also receive calls, on a fairly regular basis saying that my internet is about to be cut off, and that I should press 1 to confirm or 2 not to have my connection terminated. Needless to say I hang up without pressing either 1 or 2!

      Thanks for commenting. Best wishes, Kevin

      Reply ↓
  5. V.M.Sang's avatarV.M.Sang

    I’ve had that one, too, Kevin. There’s also another clue. I get calls, supposedly from a respected organisation like BT that are recorded messages. I’m pretty sure these organisations, if they are telling you you are going to be cut off, or internet suspended, or whatnot, they would have the decency to call you directly, and not use a recorded message.

    Reply ↓
    1. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

      I am sure you are correct, Vivienne. Also they are, I am sure legally obliged to write furnishing you with due warning that you will be cut off.

      I once had a call purporting to be from HMRC saying that legal action would be taken against me unless I called a certain number. I picked up the message from my answering machine and never called back. Surprise, surprise I heard nothing further!

      Best, Kevin

      Reply ↓
  6. debbiejonesalwaysamused's avatardebbiejonesalwaysamused

    I do hope you’ve now secured your payments to Dogs Are Us Breakdown Insurance Ltd, Kevin. I’d hate to think what could happen if Trigger’s tail lost its wag or his nose became permanently dry! You definitely did the right thing! Now, if you could just update your account settings on Amazon & Paypal, and send your bank account details through to me, so I can share all that money I’m going to get from the long, lost friend, who doesn’t have a bank account, who I can’t quite remember, but who’s been left a fortune by an old aunt..then you’ll have had a very productive week!!

    Reply ↓
    1. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

      My details are on the way to you Debbie. Oh drat, I am afraid that I have suddenly developed memory loss, so am unable to send them through to you. Apologies for the inconvenience … Dogs Are Us Breakdown Insurance LTD are, surprisingly unlisted in the telephone directory, nor can I find any trace of them online. I would ring back that nice man to whom I spoke on Friday but, quite unaccountably the number he left me with doesn’t work … Enjoy your Sunday.

      Best, Kevin

      Reply ↓
      1. debbiejonesalwaysamused's avatardebbiejonesalwaysamused

        Haha! Just as I thought, Kevin! Oh well..worth a try! Seriously, these scams really do bother me. Vulnerable folks often do not see the dangers & pitfalls from some of these unscrupulous undesirables, it’s very sad indeed.

      2. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

        I agree with you that its very sad, Debbie. There needs to be continuing education on the dangers of scams and how to spot them, plus greater eforts in tracking down scammers.

        Enjoy your Tuesday.

        All the best, Kevin

      4. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

        Thanks. My day was good, Debbie. I got rather wet returning home in the evening (but not as soaked as my poor dog)! however that didn’t spoil my day.

        All the best, Kevin

Leave a reply to debbiejonesalwaysamused Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.