Platinum Life - No such thing as a free gift!

I was just called by Platinum Life because a considerate, well-meaning family member gave my cell phone number to them.

The Platinum Life consultant assured me that I was under no obligation to take up any cover of any sort with the company but that I would be sent a free promotional gift. She then gathered a variety of personal details from myself including name, marital status, ID Number, name of my bank, work address, gross monthly salary and employer's name. I questioned the need for this level of information and she stated that this was to deliver the free gift, and included would be a free 6-month cancer cover voucher which I had apparently qualified for.

Whoops.. alarm bells. After clear questioning by myself about the voucher, I confirmed with the consultant that just by Platinum Life sending this cover / voucher to me was not an automatic acceptance by myself of the policy and that I, as the consumer, would have the opportunity to read through the cover on offer through the voucher. The consultant confirmed that this was correct and that no AUTOMATIC cover would be implemented by Platinum Life without my go ahead.

The consultant then stated that due to the festive season delivery volumes, I would receive an SMS within 6 – 8 weeks regarding the delivery of the free gift & voucher for consideration. Hmm…

In researching Platinum Life, it seems that quite a few people are getting caught by Platinum Life in that they send out ACTIVE policy documents with a 30-day review period. If Platinum Life do not hear from the recipient during the review-period, the policy will automatically commence on the date discussed with the consultant. Which one would assume would be 30 days from the date of the call.

Now, if one is only going to receive the free gift with “active policy documents” outside of the 30-day review period, (6-8 weeks later), it would appear that this marketing / sales strategy being used by Platinum Life is **********, guerrilla sales tactics.

At no time during the call, did the consultant do a full legal closure with me, nor did she provide any information regarding the 30-day review period, and how it works. I retain my right to have access to the recorded telephone call. I put in writing that by accepting your “free”, promotional gift, no sale has been concluded with myself.

Please note that I CATEGORICALLY STATE that I have not accepted any offer of insurance cover during the course of the telephone conversation, and I repeatedly expressed that I was not signing up for any policy.

Further to this, I have not provided Platinum Life with my bank account number (other than the name of my bank) to allow them to process any debit orders / deductions from my account. If any payments are taken from my bank account, I will take this matter further with PASA, my bank, as well as the as well as the Insurance Ombudsman.

In fact, I do not wish to receive the “free, promotional” gift. Please confirm in writing that I will not receive anything further from Platinum Life, either in the way of a gift, nor of a free 6-month Cancer voucher.

Please also ensure that my details are added to your “DO NOT CONTACT LIST”.

I have also sent this communication to ********** with a Read Receipt activated and would request your reply confirming the above action by Platinum Life.