Collection Calls that aren't yours.

[TigerGirl1226]

Ok, so yesterday I posted about the calls I was getting. I got one for that guy not long after the post and I felt maybe I had finally convinced them.

Now this morning, I get a new one. No...I don't know Steven Hoover! Yes, I'm sure. No, I have no idea why he gave you my phone number! Hmph!

[savvy_sniper]

I was getting calls for hubby's ex-wife. SHE wasn't answering their calls so they started calling any and everybody ever associated with her. I was VERY helpful. I gave them the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of her mother, father, and sister. STRANGE the phone calls have stopped - LOL!

[craftypam]

How about telling then you are going to report them for harassing phone calls. I've used this too!! Why should we have to put up with calls that are not ours?

[mndtrp]

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs27-debtcoll.htm

Relevant to your situation:

I am being contacted by a collector looking for my former roommate, neighbor, or relative. Can I stop this?

The FDCPA says a debt collector may contact someone other than the debtor, but only to learn the location of the debtor. Usually this contact can be made only once, unless the collector has reason to believe the person has new information. If you are a relative or roommate, a debt collector who contacts you repeatedly also violates your privacy. Excessive contact may be considered a form of harassment. You should be able to stop contact by writing to the debt collector. For an example of what to say if you are the alleged debtor and want to cease calls to you or if the debt is someone else's and a collector is contacting you about it, see sample letters 4 or 6 at Attachment B, www.privacyrights.org/Letters/letters.htm#Debt.

If the collector persists in contacting you, discloses details about the other person's debt, or if the collector's actions have been abusive or threatening, you should complain to the appropriate government agency and seek legal advice. The important thing to remember is that you have the same rights as the debtor, including the right to bring an action for any of the violations described here. For further discussion, see Part 7.

A debt collector keeps leaving prerecorded messages on my cell phone looking for someone I’ve never heard of. What can I do?

This is a common occurrence and can be quite annoying. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), prompted by debt collectors, ruled that autodialed, prerecorded collection calls can be left on cell phones. To fall within the FCC’s ruling, the cell phone number must have been provided on a credit application. http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-07-232A1.txt

However, despite the limitations of the FCC’s ruling, the reality is that cell phone numbers change frequently. Frustrations are heightened by the inability often to speak to a "live" person to explain the mistake. Recorded messages often include only a toll free number without the name of a personal contact. The PRC raised these and other concerns when the FCC was considering whether or not to allow debt collectors to leave prerecorded messages on cell phones. To read the PRC’s comments to the FCC on this issue, go to www.privacyrights.org/ar/FCC-DebtCell.htm

If you find yourself on the receiving end of prerecorded collection calls to your cell phone, first attempt to stop the calls by contacting the collection agency. Written contact is always preferable to a phone call. A sample letter to stop contacts about someone else’s debt can be found as an attachment to PRC Fact Sheet 27. www.privacyrights.org/Letters/debt6.htm

If this does not work, as is often the case, complain to the FCC. You may file a complaint with the FCC by:

E-mail : fccinfo@fcc.gov
Online : Filing a Complaint
Telephone : Voice (888) CALL-FCC, or (888-225-5322)
TTY (888) TELL-FCC, of (888-835-5322)
Mail :
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaint Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

The FCC asks that you include the following in your complaint:

Your name, address, and daytime telephone number
The telephone number or e-mail address at which you received an unsolicited commercial message or call, or an autodialed call
As much specific information about the message as possible, including:
the date and time you received the message
the identity of the company that sent the message to you
the products or services that were promoted in the message
the sender's e-mail address and any other e-mail addresses, street addresses or telephone numbers that may be referenced in the message
a description of any contact you may have had with the entity that sent the message, including whether you have done business with that entity before receiving the message/call and any steps you may have taken to reject future messages.

[bumplett]

I was getting calls for hubby's ex-wife. SHE wasn't answering their calls so they started calling any and everybody ever associated with her. I was VERY helpful. I gave them the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of her mother, father, and sister. STRANGE the phone calls have stopped - LOL!

ROFLMAO!!!

ok, I wouldn't go THAT far! But I also like to give the callers a hard time - such as..... "of course I know where my brother lives, but I'm not going to tell you"

or my personal fav - my response to a call about my sil "well, if you had called me before you rented to her, I would have told you that she wouldn't pay"

but I'd never give out real info - but that's just because they aren't ex's - they all tend to be RELATIVES! AGHHHH!

I just try to have fun with them -

[krbshappy71]

I think sometimes people put down fake phone numbers. That end up being our own real number. I also think sometimes its a "phishing" situation. I've had people mispronounce my name entirely or my family member's name. Um, ya, you don't know us.

Is this on your house phone or cell phone? I don't have a house phone so that has greatly reduced all calls. I've had this cell number forever and get very few calls on it that are not mine. I am VERY selective on who gets this number.

[bumplett]

I hate the phishing.

my bil has a cell phone that was purchased by his employer at the same time the employer bought his own & one for his son.

so all three are very similar numbers, only the last digit is different. something like 41, 42 & 43

the employers (teenage) son gets collection calls meant for my bil.

I also get pissed that my mom gets collection calls for my brother - they stress her out wayyyy too much. she gets all upset over them, she doesn't understand that some may be 15 year old debts that were sold off and they are trying to reestablish some contact.

I still prefer to have some fun with them -

I respect that these guys have a job to do - and I respect that someone didn't pay their debts.... BUT if I'm not the one that owes the money, NOONE has a right to call & harass me.

just my opinion.