I wobbled, lost my balance and had to lay the bike down. However, my throw-over panniers saved the bike and I was unscathed. Life can always be worse… The E-Type driver was a lovely old boy; he’d bought the car new in 1969 and was duly wearing a flat cap with leather driving gloves.

While he’d cocked up, the bike and I were okay and I rode home. Literally hours later the calls and texts started, saying that £3000 waiting for me and I needed to act immediately. I’m not hurt and the bike’s okay, should I claim?

It seems wrong, but I could do with the money to pay for Christmas.

Answer

We cannot print what I’d like to say, so I’ll tone it down. Some unscrupulous low-life has sold or passed on your details on to a company who reckon they can help. It makes me angry that private information is not treated properly.

There’s no compensation waiting for you, because you have suffered no injuries or loss. Whoever has sold or passed your details on has likely committed a criminal offence and if caught could end up in court.

An ex-Aviva employee was sentenced in Manchester Crown Court a few years ago for passing on thousands of customers’ details. Having an accident is bad enough, let alone being hounded day and night.

Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast

On2Wheels February 2019