Holiday sickness firms to be hit by cold-calling ban
ABTA has hailed the government’s plan to ban cold-calling by claims management companies as a welcome advance in the industry’s battle against holiday sickness fraud.
The House of Lords has backed an amendment to the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill that would make it illegal for such firms to make unsolicited calls.
ABTA believes that claims management companies deliberately target holidaymakers, either in resort or when they return from abroad, and persuade them to make bogus or exaggerated sickness claims.
In a statement, it said: "ABTA strongly welcomes the Government announcement last night in the House of Lords that it intends to ban cold-calling by claims management companies.
"As part of our lobbying work around fake holiday sickness claims, we have been calling on the Government to introduce a ban, so this announcement is a significant and very welcome advance in the industry’s fight against fraudulent claims."
The ban could be introduced within a year.
"ABTA has always held the view that it is wrong for companies to cold-call people and encourage them to make compensation claims that cannot be justified whether for whiplash or holiday sickness," added the Association.
"We know that people dislike these calls and some are being encouraged to make false claims, often without realising that by doing so they are committing a crime which could have serious consequences. It is very encouraging to see this commitment from the Government and we look forward to its speedy implementation."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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