What can I do to stop this?

Question

Hello all,

My wife and I recently moved into a new house in a new state and in the process needed to get new phone service. Now everyday about 7 or 8 times at all hours of the night we're getting calls for people who used to have this phone number. We've told them many times that the people they're looking for don't live here, but they keep calling. I tried calling the phone company to change my number but they want to charge me like $250 to do that, and I
refuse. Do I have any legal recourse? or any other options to get these people to stop calling for someone who doesn't live here?


Thanks,

I should add, these calls are from creditors looking for the previous owners.

Answer 1

I've had this problem many times. One place we lived, our phone number was posted on a sign for some property for sale! We got non-stop calls inquiring about "our property." We finally had to enlist the city's help to get the sign taken down (once we got one of them to tell us where they'd seen this sign--it had no other contact info on it, not even a realty company).

Anyway... you can try what others have said about trying to get the phone company to change your number. Good luck with that. In the meantime, or under the assumption that that won't get anywhere, try screening your calls with an answering machine. Have the outgoing message clearly state that the other people have moved, and people actually calling for you should leave a message (which you can pick up when you hear them, or just turn the ringer off at night). This was reasonably successful when we had the real estate calls, although quite a few people still left messages asking about the property.

If you have caller ID and it's the same numbers calling all the time, you can just not pick up. And if it's the same people calling and they won't stop, you could potentially involve the police for harassment.

You can also try *69ing them to call back and make VERY clear to them that you don't want them calling any more.

EDIT: I see your add'l info about creditors. Been there, too--once on my cell phone number. They certainly shouldn't be calling at all hours of the night! But yeah, you'll have a hard time convincing them you're not the person. You should definitely ask for a supervisor. You also need to find out who the creditor is--if necessary, use a reverse directory on the number. The law gives debtors the right to end collection calls by sending a cease and desist letter (sample here: http://www.pennlawyer.com/fdcpa.htm ). Now, since you're not technically the debtor, I'm not sure how that would work, but it's one thing to try. The cease and desist thing does have to be in writing, so just telling them on the phone may not get you anywhere.

BTW, in different apartments we have also had one debt collector try to kick in the door looking for someone else, and three sheriff's deputies show up at 5am with a door ram looking for the previous resident (fortunately my husband had just gotten home from work and was standing right by the door when they knocked first). So be glad it's just on the phone!

Answer 2

I'm not an expert, but that doesn't sound right to me. That is almost the cost of a brand new line and cabling.

And I think that you have a valid reason to request a new number. If there is another provider available in your area, maybe you tell your current provider that, if they don't grant you an new number, that you will cancel their service or insist to speak with a supervisor.
If they have a website, maybe you can read their service agreement.

Good luck.

Answer 3

As a former manager of services for "the major telephone company" I can tell you that you should go directly to the president of the company (by phone or letter). Letter is best with a cc letter sent to the State Utility Department in your state. This will get you immediate results.

Answer 4

I've been informed approximately 10000 occasions that I'm no longer a Real Christian (TM) considering that my ideals do not fall in with the extremist get together line. I percentage a few of your perspectives. I preserve citizenship in an earthly country (the United States). There are many paths to God. I take facet in each Christian and non-Christian rites. I am no longer scared of non-Christian affects. I refuse to make use of my faith as an excuse for bigotry and hatred. Anyway, congratulations for no longer seeking to shove the Divine right into a one-dimension-suits-all field.

Answer 5

Honestly I really don't think there is much you can do. That recently happened to me, and I even got into a fight with a company looking for a person behind on their bills. There were convinced I was that person. All you really can do is ask to speak to a manager of whoever is calling and ask to be taken off their list, since you aren't that person.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Call the Better Business Bureau and complain about your phone company. Tell them everything you said on here.

Answer 7

Tell them you are now tracing numbers through the local SO and if they don't stop calling they will have to answer for it. You will sue for harassment. Worked for me when I got my new number.

Answer 8

Get an answering machine.