How do I get rid of bill collectors calling about a debt that isn't MINE?

**khaski** · 03-05-2010, 08:25 AM

It started at 8 am sharp yesterday, a call from some collector asking for a John Doe, who is not us, nor do we know him. I nicely explained they had the wrong #. Well, they called ALL DAY I have even explained to a supervisor this is OUR # we've had for almost 7 years, do a little research! They keep telling me they will remove our # immediately and then keep calling, they called 7 or 8 times yesterday, I have told 3 people our # is NOT John Doe's!

How do I get these calls to stop? The irony of it is we have worked so hard to keep up with our bills, are never behind, have never dealt with creditors calling as we are financially responsible...now we're getting chased down for someone else's bill because some jerk wrote down OUR phone # somewhere!

How to end this?

**Greebo** · 03-05-2010, 09:23 AM

Do you have an answering machine that can record phone calls? Do you have Caller ID?

Keep your caller ID records showing how many times you get phone calls from this number - even if it's an "Unknown Number".

Next time they call, start recording and say, "It is (state date and time) and this phone call is being recorded. Do you understand and agree to the recording?" If they don't agree, hang up. When they do agree, go through the explanation, and get them on tape saying they'll remove the # and stop calling. Get the reps NAME.

THEN when they call again, once again, "It is (date/time) and this call is being recorded....etc" Then say, "Ok at such time today your rep ____ said the # would be removed that you understood this was not the right number and that you would not call again. I have this on tape. I also have it on tape that you did, in fact, call again. You have been doing this all week. If I get one more call, then I'm calling the state district attorney and a lawyer - one to report harassment (and I have the evidence) and violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices act, and the other because I'll be fixing to sue your company for enough money that I'll end up owning your job."

And if they call again - DO IT.

**Darlene** · 03-05-2010, 09:33 AM

Is this on a land line or cell phone? On my cell I had to block their number and walla, no more calls. I have Verizon and I'm able to block a few #'s but the blocking only lasts a few months but it's easy to re-block the numbers. So nice not to get those calls, funny it only happens to my phone, not dh's. Have you tried to speak to a supervisor and tell them you consider this harassment and will follow through with a complaint? If they continue I'd contact the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission.

**dcompton** · 03-05-2010, 01:05 PM

I have had this happen and it is infuriating. The problem with the one I kept getting was that it was a computer call that left a number for a return call. When I tried to call, I could never get an answer. They calls came erratically over several months, probably 20-25 of them, and always between around 8 and 10 am when I am almost always still asleep. I finally got through to someone at the number they gave and got it stopped. But geez, if you're trying to collect a bill, at least answer your phone!

They also gave no company name by which to track them down or complain. It was a helpless feeling to be so anonymously harrassed.

**StaceyS** · 03-05-2010, 02:36 PM

We have 3 phone lines at work. We had two and then added the third about 3 years ago. Ever since then we have been getting calls for one particular person. Each time I explain that this is a business and it's our 3rd line etc. They still keep calling back. Next time (if I have time) I'm going to see if there is an address/company I can write to, to prove that we are not her...

**frugalfranny** · 03-05-2010, 02:39 PM

I agree with greebo. But calls that often, I would even question if it IS a bill collector.........not just some general harassment.

I just went through that a month or so ago but they weren't calling like that..........they called about every other week. I think they can call you every two weeks........not sure.

as an alternative --I wouldn't even talk to them. On mine, when they asked for so and so I just hung up. After about three hang ups they quit calling. I had ALREADY told them they had the wrong number AND that so and so DIDN'T LIVE HERE!

**mauimagic** · 03-05-2010, 04:42 PM

this sure is getting to be a more pervasive problem. DD got a land line when she moved into her apt. almost two years ago and is still getting calls for the previous number holder. Definite harrasment and invasion of privacy as far as I'm concerned.

**Sassyclass** · 03-05-2010, 05:53 PM

Just the mention of harassment should make them quit calling. I'd try Greebo's suggestion and let us know how it goes.

Cat

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-05-2010, 06:18 PM

I made friends with the caller. Someone was giving out my number as theirs and did it over a period of years. I started keeping track of who was calling me. When the video place called about past due fees, I said something like "it sounds like you are not the only one they did that too. I got a call from X place and Y place just last week (truth)." He He he. It stopped shortly after I started doing that.

**ahmom** · 03-07-2010, 08:55 AM

I get calls for people with the same last name. I know exactly where they live. We have the phone number on a piece of paper next to the phone. I give them the correct number to call. The collection people probably have heard/seen every trick in the book so they call people with the same last name.
I swear if I had these peoples cell phone numbers I'd give them out too.

**mommy2010** · 03-07-2010, 05:17 PM

I get calls for my inlaws!!! I do not how in the world the bill collecters got my number since it isn't listed and our last name isn't the same as some of the family!! Its annoying!!

**Preston** · 03-07-2010, 09:08 PM

I had this happen to me about a year ago telling me my 'warranty on my car was about to expire' whew. considering both are cars are >10 years old I found this to be news there was even a warranty.

So i started calling them back and then talking to them.. sometimes just saying 'hello' over and over again and 'thank you' about 85 times in about a 3 minute conversation. After this, the calls stopped.

One time when they called I went so far as to smash a plate (already broken) on the ground and then make it sound like I just injured myself badly. That freaked them out. I'm not saying it was right, but my time is worth something and you're going to waste it I'm at least going to get some entertainment.

**quiltingmommy** · 03-08-2010, 02:19 PM

My 82yo Mother sold her car 10 years ago and gets the "buy an extended warranty for your car soon because you're warranty is running out" calls often. She tried saying she doesn't have a car, but they keep calling. now she just keeps them on the phone and says 'hello?, hello?' They eventually hang up.

Definetly try Greebo's advice. But I would start out first by asking for their manager, then tell their manager that they have the wrong number and if you are not removed from their list, you will turn them in for harrassment. I know years ago, if you told a company to put you on their 'do-not-call' list, they had to for legal reasons...maybe that still applies?

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-08-2010, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by mommy2010

I get calls for my inlaws!!! I do not how in the world the bill collecters got my number since it isn't listed and our last name isn't the same as some of the family!! Its annoying!!

That's easy. You know like at the doctors office you have those "emergency contact" papers? It is not for emergency at all. It is for collections. Other business have other forms like "who may be interested in our service", "$10 off for 3 referrals", "how did you hear of us" ...

**nancycg56** · 03-08-2010, 02:54 PM

The car warranty one was a scam and they were ordered to stop. If they are still calling you, I would report it. I imagine if you google, you'll find the info.