I don't know that there's a lot you can do. They're probably claiming that they have a business relationship with whomever they think lives there, so they're allowed to keep calling.
And CA's are notorious for refusing to accept that they have a wrong number.
What pops into my mind is to go to a soccer supply shop and buy a Wolf referee whistle. Use it as it seems best to you whenever they call.
I'm hoping that someone will come along with a slightly more productive solution.
And CA's are notorious for refusing to accept that they have a wrong number.
What pops into my mind is to go to a soccer supply shop and buy a Wolf referee whistle. Use it as it seems best to you whenever they call.
I'm hoping that someone will come along with a slightly more productive solution.
@iltph wrote:I can't wait until Verizon rolls out their VoIP services in March. I will then switch my phone line over to that instead of being a regular land line (saving $7/m in taxes) and I can go and check their phone number off so it won't ever ring my phone. The aggravating thing is that a lot of their calls show up as "NOT AVAILABLE" so I don't always know it's them.
I think next time I am going to ask what company they are calling from then call my local police department and file a complaint for harassment. I've had my fair share of collections, but having my phone (which I've had for over 3 years) ring all the time for someone else's problems really #%#*&@ me off.
Call your telephone services provider NOW and report the number as a harassing phone call. Demand that they investigate. They will.
Often, at the very least, they'll allow you to block their number. Conversely, most telephone providers allow you to block calls that have Caller ID turned off (since you say that it often says "Not Available" -- that's them, blocking their number from your Caller ID). It's *(star symbol on your phone pad) 6-something.
But I'd really report them to your telephone provider now. They'll interrogate you (making sure that the CA doesn't have a valid reason for calling) but in the end, they'll take action. All you have to do is call your phone provider **immediately** after the phone call and ask for a trace for a harassing caller. They'll do the rest.
At least, that's how I got rid of an annoying, rude, a-hole CA that kept calling us YEARS ago for someone else who didn't live at our "phone number." It worked.
Best of luck!! Go spank'em but GOOD!!
I had this happen to me. I was getting sometimes 2-3 calls/day on multiple days through the week. They called for one person initially but then they started calling for the ladies husband as well. I did call the phone company and they suggested I change my number. I'd already had my number long enough that it was well established and I didn't feel like that was an appropriate fix. I was always friendly with whatever creditor was calling and I was able to find out basic information including dates the accounts were filed that indicated this couple had been providing my phone number as theirs well after the number had been issued to me. I was able to do a little investigating and knew they still lived local, then I found out by chance (probably info that shouldn't have been provided to me) where the lady worked. Then I started giving that phone number out to all creditors who called me. Then one day I finally had enough and I called this lady at work myself. It was a fun conversation (for me 
)
I havn't gotten any phone calls for them in about a year now.
)I havn't gotten any phone calls for them in about a year now.
YES! The law is The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The OP may have a Cause of Action under one or more of the following statutes. Check with a consumer attorney.
Contacting Third Parties
§ 1692 b(1) Contact of Third Party: Failed to identify themselves, or failed to state that collector is confirming or correcting location information
§ 1692 b(2) Contact of Third Party: Stated that the consumer owes any debt
§ 1692 b(3) Contact of Third Party: Contacted a person more than once, unless requested to do so
§ 1692 b(4) Contact of Third Party: Utilized postcards
§ 1692 b(5) Contact of Third Party: Any language or symbol on any envelope or communication indicating debt collection business
§ 1692 b(6) Contact of Third Party: After knowing the consumer is represented by an attorney
Prohibited Communications Practices
§ 1692 c(a)(1) At any unusual time, unusual place, or unusual time or place known to be inconvenient to the consumer, before 8:00 am or after 9:00 pm
§ 1692 c(a)(2) After it knows the consumer to be represented by an attorney unless attorney consents or is unresponsive
§ 1692 c(a)(3) At place of employment when knows that the employer prohibits such communications
§ 1692 c(B) With anyone except consumer, consumer’s attorney, or credit bureau concerning the debt
§ 1692 c© After written notification that consumer refuses to pay debt, or that consumer wants collector to cease communication
Harassment or Abuse
§ 1692 d Any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person
§ 1692 d(1) Used or threatened the use of violence or other criminal means to harm the consumer or his/her property?
§ 1692 d(2) Profane language or other abusive language?
§ 1692 d(3) Published a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts?
§ 1692 d(4) Advertised for sale any debts?
§ 1692 d(5) Caused the phone to ring or engaged any person in telephone conversations repeatedly
§ 1692 d(6) Placed telephone calls without disclosing his/her identity?
False or Misleading Representations in Communications
§ 1692 e Any other false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the debt collection
§ 1692 e(1) Affiliated with the United States or any state, including the use of any badge, uniform or facsimile
§ 1692 e(2) Character, amount, or legal status of the alleged debt
§ 1692 e(3) Any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney
§ 1692 e(4) Nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment
§ 1692 e(5) Threaten to take any action that cannot legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken
§ 1692 e(6) Sale or transfer of any interest in the debt will cause the consumer to lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt
§ 1692 e(7) Consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer
§ 1692 e(
Threatens or communicates false credit information, including the failure to communicate that a debt is disputed
§ 1692 e(9) Represent documents as authorized, issued or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or state.
§ 1692 e(10) Any false representation or deceptive means to collect a debt or obtain information about a consumer
§ 1692 e(11) Communication fail to contain the mini-Miranda warning: "This is an attempt to collect a debt… communication is from a debt collector.”
§ 1692 e(12) Debt has been turned over to innocent purchasers for value
§ 1692 e(13) Documents are legal process when they are not
§ 1692 e(14) Any name other than the true name of the debt collector's business
§ 1692 e(15) Documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer
§ 1692 e(16) Debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency
Starting Score: TU 737 EQ 721
Lel wrote:
..... and then I'd ask them a bunch of inane questions (where are you located, how's the weather, boy the Titans really stunk it up last weekend, etc.). They didn't seem to like the small talk.
That is what I do and it works every single time. I run the back-office for a company with approx 100 employees. CAs call here all the time asking for them. Just had one a moment ago even (Bass Asots PC, new one). Anyway, I am always friendly throughout any conversation, but I will politely explain that our employees work out in the field for our clients through VA-DC-MD. They in turn ask for their cell phone number and I always say we have a privacy policy and don't give out any personal info. If they push, then I start with the convo.
I'll quickly google their phone number, if possible, while talking to them and ask them how the weather is in such-and-such city. It always takes them back. I then ask how such-and-such team is doing or ask them about last night's game (google & ESPN rock). I'll switch gears and talk weather. If they don't hang up on me by this point, then I focus everything on them. I ask them if they grew up there or if they went to school there. I'll ask if he/she has a family, kids, etc. I'll ask how long they've been working for the CA, etc. By this point, they all hang up on me. 
Is it me? Is it something I said?
I found that this is all more effective than saying "hey, you have the wrong number" or "so and so isn't here". And yes, it is illegal for them to call over and over after you tell them to stop (at least for family, friends, and employers anyway). But the debtor is the only one who can sue. Maybe I can make some $$$ on the side by helping some of our employees.
***BTW, as Ityped this WFNNB called....she didn't want to talk to me and hung up on me. Sigh. ***