Somebody's got my number, seeking advice

[ColonelPanic]

I'd like some advice, fellow Vibers. Probably about 6 months ago (at the least) I started noticing a large number of repeat callers on my caller ID, and it took them a while before they would finally leave a message. These people were calling at least 5 times a day looking for some individual who I have never even heard of. They would start calling at around 7 AM and would stop calling at 11 PM. They kept calling, leaving messages that this person needed to call them as the deadline for his account was tomorrow. He went through a lot of tomorrow deadlines... I just kept ignoring the harassment. I didn't do it, I wasn't the one who they were looking for. I thought about calling this company, but I googled their number first. They're a company that gives credit to those who probably don't deserve it, so my guess is somebody used MY phone number (which I've had for almost 7 years) and got a loan through them and "forgot" to pay this company back. I was reluctant to call this company because I found others on the 'net that were in the same boat as I... Others were getting harassing calls from this company as well, and like me, they also did not have any accounts with this company. When they tried to advise this company of such, the company would then accus them of lying, then they started demanding personal information such as SSN's/etc before they would believe what the person was saying.So, I'll be damned if I'm giving those people anything other than my name, if they're lucky enough to get that. Fortunately, or at least I thought it was, they quit calling.Now, today I got a call from an attourney's office demanding this same person that I do not know call them back. I googled this entity, and it looks to be some place that deals with debt. I'm not sure at all how it works, I found where someone said they went through credit counseling for their credit cards, the cards got paid off by some company, then that loan got transferred to this law firm. I don't know. But getting called by an attourney scares me.What should I do? I'm NOT the one they want. I have NO accounts from the financial entity that is involved. My credit report verifies that. Who can I contact so these people will leave me alone?

[millster]

Heh, I'm battling a similar situation. Someone has gotten into trouble and gave these people my address. The really scary part is that the collection notices were originally coming to her with her last name. NOW, they have her first name and my last name as if I'm married to this deadbeat. Umm... The kicker was having a process server come to my door. I rather impolitely informed him what he could do with his papers and reminded him of the fact that he had no business on my property. So far, so good.Anyway, if you have a chance to talk to these people, make mention of the FDCPA and notify them that you will file a complaint if they do not cease contact immediately. Any smart collection agency will take this seriously.Here's the text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htmWorking in IT in a debt related company, I had to be VERY familiar with this one. What they're doing definitely constitutes harrassment and MUST end!

[tnpartsguy]

Also, file a complaint with the phone company, and if it continues, ask them to change your #, I did that recently, and the 1st time got more collection calls than ever before!! I made them change it again a week later... (the 1st day with the new number I got 15 collection calls for someone who was NOT me!!)

[tcam]

wow, that is a very strange situation. I suppose if it really gets out of hand u might as well trying asking an attorney what they suggest doing. Changing ur phone # is always an option, but that'd be the last resort for me personally. cuz then u have to go through the hastle letting everyone know of ur new # and stuff.

[ragingfish]

i believe you can file a complaint with the FCC as well.

[Mavrik]

call those places, tell them who you are and that this is your number, prove it by providing perhaps a fax of your phone bill (obviously don't show them who you call and what not) tell them to stop calling as no one at that number gives a rat's hairy behind. The certain individual... have you looked them up? Also could have given them the wrong number by mistake.

[AKLGT]

first off, if they are calling at 11pm your time, i would tell whatever financial institution that it is a direct violation of the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collections Practices Act). Anyone attempting to collect a debt can NOT call before the hours of 7 am and after the hours of 9 pm. They cannot call more than 3 times in one day, or 5 times in one week (i believe, but not positive on that one). Tell them they cannot call you as you are NOT that person and do not call ever again. and then i would block their number from calling you. I don't believe they are legally allowed to call you once you have told them NOT to call. again, I'm not POSITIVE on that though.