"companies" now calling friends regarding "personal business matters"?

[laurac260]

So, I get a call a few minutes ago that says, "This is heather calling for ____________ " (The person they are calling for was married to my dad many, many years ago. So she was my step mom, but no longer--we'll call her Susie Smith).

"Miss Smith, please call us at such and such number at ext 1234. We will be available to help you until 9pm."

Ok, obviously I know Susie Smith, so I called the number. "UCB" the girl answers.

Me, "Hi, can you tell me what your company does?" girl, "We help in personal business matters." Me, "Can you be more specific?" girl, "No, federal law prohibits me from giving you any more info than that. Is this Susie Smith?"
me, "I know a Susie Smith, and I would consider passing the info to her, if you tell me who you are and why you are calling." Girl, "again, federal law prohibits me...blah blah blah."

me, "Then I am prohibited from passing on the info. Can you tell me how you happened to be calling for Susie Smith at THIS #?" girl, "if someone is linked to you, as a friend or family.."

Me, "ok, then you can remove my number, because I cannot help you, and Susie Smith has never lived here. You have the wrong #."

That's pretty much the gist. I assume this is a collection agency. At any rate I was pretty disgusted to learn that now they call "family" to look for money. I mean, we haven't been "related" for a good 20 years!!!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Our son's friend who moved here from Texas started using our house as his mailing address, because he wanted more of a permanent place for his mail, while moving from place to place.

He stopped paying his car payment, so we get phone calls, then a person coming into our back yard, trying to find his car, ringing my doorbell and asking where they could find the vehicle. I told the guy I didn't know where he lived, so I couldn't help him (I am not required to help someone tow away a car).

Then calls from other collection companies and banks. Finally, Rick got disgusted and started marking his mail as "not here," sending it back to the P.O. until the mail no longer came to us. The kid was angry, but so were we. I don't know what happened to his mail and don't care. He didn't pick up his mail from our house for at least six months. Rick decided he apparently didn't want it.

Now I have a package on my kitchen counter, to the same guy, and I have to take it back to UPS myself, because Rick doesn't want to have the guy come to our house anymore.

I am afraid he is going to show up on our credit reports or something.

 

[teepeeca]

Rickandcindy23

If the package was left on your doorstoop (by UPS), without you signing for it, just call UPS and have them come back and get it. You DO NOT have to take it to UPS. However, if you did sign for it, then you might be obligated to return it to a UPS dropoff center.

Tony

 

[laurac260]

Our son's friend who moved here from Texas started using our house as his mailing address, because he wanted more of a permanent place for his mail, while moving from place to place.

He stopped paying his car payment, so we get phone calls, then a person coming into our back yard, trying to find his car, ringing my doorbell and asking where they could find the vehicle. I told the guy I didn't know where he lived, so I couldn't help him (I am not required to help someone tow away a car).

Then calls from other collection companies and banks. Finally, Rick got disgusted and started marking his mail as "not here," sending it back to the P.O. until the mail no longer came to us. The kid was angry, but so were we. I don't know what happened to his mail and don't care. He didn't pick up his mail from our house for at least six months. Rick decided he apparently didn't want it.

Now I have a package on my kitchen counter, to the same guy, and I have to take it back to UPS myself, because Rick doesn't want to have the guy come to our house anymore.

I am afraid he is going to show up on our credit reports or something.

well, yes, if he used your address, they are going to come looking for his car at your house. "Susie" and I have not resided in the same dwelling since I was 15 years old! (and not at this address)

 

[pgnewarkboy]

So, I get a call a few minutes ago that says, "This is heather calling for ____________ " (The person they are calling for was married to my dad many, many years ago. So she was my step mom, but no longer--we'll call her Susie Smith).

"Miss Smith, please call us at such and such number at ext 1234. We will be available to help you until 9pm."

Ok, obviously I know Susie Smith, so I called the number. "UCB" the girl answers.

Me, "Hi, can you tell me what your company does?" girl, "We help in personal business matters." Me, "Can you be more specific?" girl, "No, federal law prohibits me from giving you any more info than that. Is this Susie Smith?"
me, "I know a Susie Smith, and I would consider passing the info to her, if you tell me who you are and why you are calling." Girl, "again, federal law prohibits me...blah blah blah."

me, "Then I am prohibited from passing on the info. Can you tell me how you happened to be calling for Susie Smith at THIS #?" girl, "if someone is linked to you, as a friend or family.."

Me, "ok, then you can remove my number, because I cannot help you, and Susie Smith has never lived here. You have the wrong #."

That's pretty much the gist. I assume this is a collection agency. At any rate I was pretty disgusted to learn that now they call "family" to look for money. I mean, we haven't been "related" for a good 20 years!!!

They are highly regulated. If they call again tell them you are contacting the authorities and that should stop them. If not, contact the authorities.

 

[e.bram]

When I get those calls and they start to be evasive, I tell them they are looking my roommate and they must be his escort service. I inform them that he likes petite blonds(real) with 36-22-38 figures. I myself prefer redheads if they have any available. Never hear from them again.
ps. Sometimes I even tell what types of activities he likes.

 

[easyrider]

When I get those calls and they start to be evasive, I tell them they are looking my roommate and they must be his escort service. I inform them that he likes petite blonds(real) with 36-22-38 figures. I myself prefer redheads if they have any available. Never hear from them again.
ps. Sometimes I even tell what types of activities he likes.

Thats good. I don't screw around on the business lines but like to talk to telemarketers real loud on the private lines. I ask them their name over and over and say WHAT.
How do they get private numbers anyway ?

 

[vacationhopeful]

My deceased father still gets calls at my house. I tell them he doesn't reside here anymore. When they ask what his phone number is, I ask 'how good is their long distance plan?' It is always along the lines of "No Problem, we can call anywheres". I then tell them that I don't know the area code but just call info for either Heaven or Hell.

At least I think it is amusing as to their what their response is.

 

[laurac260]

while we are on the subject then...

I have been getting the same wrong number on my cell phone for the past 3 years. It started almost immediately after turning on the phone. A middle eastern sounding man calling for Karen M______. I quickly surmised, based on the all the many collection agencies that have called since that I have her previous cell #. At any rate, I told him he had the wrong #, but he continued to try to solicit me anyway. He is selling prescription drugs.

I've told him he had the wrong number politely, I've told him he had the wrong number rudely. I've tried not answering the phone (they seem to come more frequently when I do), I've tried yelling at him, having my husband yell at him, whatever. The calls keep coming. Sometimes once a week, sometimes every couple days, sometimes months go by and I think he finally gave up.

I once told him that Karen had gone to jail for buying illegal Rx drugs over the phone, and had gone to jail for 6 months. I swear the calls stopped, for about 6 months!

The only thing that seems to work lately is to pretend that I cannot speak English. I just keep saying no Habla Englais over and over again,and ask the guy to speak Espanol, and he finally gives up in frustration. This seems to stop him for awhile atleast.

I know I could just get a new cell . That was my husband's suggestion in the beginning, and I should have listened to him. But I've had the # so long now that I don't feel like changing. You'd think he'd have gotten the hint by now that #1, I am NOT Karen, and #2, I don't want what he's selling!!

 

[DaveNV]

I know I could just get a new cell . That was my husband's suggestion in the beginning, and I should have listened to him. But I've had the # so long now that I don't feel like changing. You'd think he'd have gotten the hint by now that #1, I am NOT Karen, and #2, I don't want what he's selling!!

Thing is, there is no guarantee that a new cell number would be any better than the one you have now. You might actually end up getting even more annoying calls.

My parents have both been deceased for several years, and neither of them ever lived at my address. But as Executor of the estate, I had their mail sent to my address when their house was sold so I could make sure to receive anything important for them. I had no idea the junk mail and phone calls would follow.

Now, I get solicitation calls for them, where the caller wants to follow up on "our conversation of last week." Really? I think the psychic hotline would want to put these amazing clairvoyants to work... :hysterical:

Dave

 

[isisdave]

You can Google the number and find out who it is. There are many websites that are dedicated to that sort of thing.

My wife has a very common name, and we frequently get calls for "Linda Smith" or a close variation like "Luella Smith." I always ask who they are, and usually they won't say or hang up. Lately I say "Tell Boris her cover has been blown, and she needs evacuation to Tblisi right away." Once it was the Republican National Committee. Coincidence? hmmmm

 

[ScoopKona]

I have the previous phone number of a complete deadbeat.

I get at least 10 calls a week (down from like 50). I've taken to doing this:


Caller: This is Mr. Smith from the Debt Consolidation Corporation, can I speak to Randy [a common last name]?

Me, in a pretty-good Peter Lorre impression: What are you wearing?

Caller: Huh?

Me, still doing full-on Peter Lorre: I'm touching myself.

Caller: Click.



They annoy me? I annoy them right back. Once the person on the phone had the audacity to browbeat me about being rude.

Me, still doing Peter Lorre: You called me, sweetheart. I didn't call you. So... what are you wearing?


It beats asking them repeatedly and repeatedly and pleading to take you off their call list -- which they never, ever do.

Google "Peter Lorre wav" if you'd like to hear the master of weird voices in action.

 

[djs]

About 20 years ago there was a "Mr. Adams" calling my parents' house for my sister, apparently trying to collect on an old phone bill. She never provided that address/number and was not living at their house, nor had she been for over 10 years. There were calls every day throughout the summer, finally after having enough of the calls I said "Mr. Adams, has _______ ever been here when you've called?" he said "no" then I asked "do you think she ever will be here when you call? he said "um, no?" He never called again.

 

[laurac260]

You can Google the number and find out who it is. There are many websites that are dedicated to that sort of thing.

Try googling 000-000-0000 or 2222 and see what you get. Because that is what my cell phone caller id often shows. If a number shows at all. How do companies get away with this?

I'd try the Peter Lorre "touching myself" schtick, but I am not sure how that works when you're female! I'm thinking perhaps I might get MORE calls!

 

[Talent312]

I have the previous phone number of a complete deadbeat. I get at least 10 calls a week (down from like 50). I've taken to doing this:

Caller: This is Mr. Smith from the Debt Consolidation Corporation, can I speak to Randy [a common last name]?

Me, in a pretty-good Peter Lorre impression: What are you wearing?...

ROFLMAO!
I'm not sure I'd have the guts to do that, though.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I'd try the Peter Lorre "touching myself" schtick, but I am not sure how that works when you're female! I'm thinking perhaps I might get MORE calls!

No kidding! :rofl: Women cannot do that!

Today I had three calls from a Jamaica number asking for Richard. I had this same call two days ago, so I said, "This is Richard." He kept saying he wanted to speak to my husband. I hung up, he called back two more times, so I ignored the last call completely. Jerk! I did a Google search on the number and came up with nothing. I know it's a scam.

 

[Bwolf]

No kidding! :rofl: Women cannot do that!

Today I had three calls from a Jamaica number asking for Richard. I had this same call two days ago, so I said, "This is Richard." He kept saying he wanted to speak to my husband. I hung up, he called back two more times, so I ignored the last call completely. Jerk! I did a Google search on the number and came up with nothing. I know it's a scam.

Next time, tell him you used to be Richard, but now you are Racquel.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Next time, tell him you used to be Richard, but now you are Racquel.

OMG that is so great! Why don't I ever think of clever things to say? :rofl:

 

[hefleycatz]

I get calls from collection agencies for someone with my same name. (First and Last, not middle)

He is a guy, I'm not. He is in a punk-rock band, I'm not. He is married to a girl named Heather (who runs an escort service), I'm not. He trashes apartments and defaults on loans, I don't. I couldn't believe all the stuff I found out when I googled him.

 

[laurac260]

I get calls from collection agencies for someone with my same name. (First and Last, not middle)

He is a guy, I'm not. He is in a punk-rock band, I'm not. He is married to a girl named Heather (who runs an escort service), I'm not. He trashes apartments and defaults on loans, I don't. I couldn't believe all the stuff I found out when I googled him.

Let me guess, your name is Billie Idol.

No?

Then is it Sidney Viscious?

Marilyn Manson?

 

[caribbeansun]

Tell them that Karen died.

We had a similar issue with our home # previously being one for a business - everyone that calls I tell them the company went bankrupt - calls are maybe one every 4 months now.

I have been getting the same wrong number on my cell phone for the past 3 years. It started almost immediately after turning on the phone. A middle eastern sounding man calling for Karen M______. I quickly surmised, based on the all the many collection agencies that have called since that I have her previous cell #. At any rate, I told him he had the wrong #, but he continued to try to solicit me anyway. He is selling prescription drugs.

I know I could just get a new cell . That was my husband's suggestion in the beginning, and I should have listened to him. But I've had the # so long now that I don't feel like changing. You'd think he'd have gotten the hint by now that #1, I am NOT Karen, and #2, I don't want what he's selling!!

 

[caribbeansun]

One word "Skype"

Try googling 000-000-0000 or 2222 and see what you get. Because that is what my cell phone caller id often shows. If a number shows at all. How do companies get away with this?

 

[Whirl]

I have the previous phone number of a complete deadbeat.

I get at least 10 calls a week (down from like 50). I've taken to doing this:


Caller: This is Mr. Smith from the Debt Consolidation Corporation, can I speak to Randy [a common last name]?

Me, in a pretty-good Peter Lorre impression: What are you wearing?

Caller: Huh?

Me, still doing full-on Peter Lorre: I'm touching myself.

Caller: Click.



They annoy me? I annoy them right back. Once the person on the phone had the audacity to browbeat me about being rude.

Me, still doing Peter Lorre: You called me, sweetheart. I didn't call you. So... what are you wearing?


It beats asking them repeatedly and repeatedly and pleading to take you off their call list -- which they never, ever do.

Google "Peter Lorre wav" if you'd like to hear the master of weird voices in action.

PRICELESS! Ok, my colleague in the office next to me now thinks he needs to get me oxygen...hysterical!

 

[Catira]

I have the previous phone number of a complete deadbeat.

I get at least 10 calls a week (down from like 50). I've taken to doing this:


Caller: This is Mr. Smith from the Debt Consolidation Corporation, can I speak to Randy [a common last name]?

Me, in a pretty-good Peter Lorre impression: What are you wearing?

Caller: Huh?

Me, still doing full-on Peter Lorre: I'm touching myself.

Caller: Click.



They annoy me? I annoy them right back. Once the person on the phone had the audacity to browbeat me about being rude.

Me, still doing Peter Lorre: You called me, sweetheart. I didn't call you. So... what are you wearing?


It beats asking them repeatedly and repeatedly and pleading to take you off their call list -- which they never, ever do.

Google "Peter Lorre wav" if you'd like to hear the master of weird voices in action.

HILARIOUS!! I spilled my coffee laughing at this. Maybe next time I get one these calls I'll pretend to be a domanatrix. Of course, I doubt I will be able to pull it off without laughing!!:rofl:

 

[dougp26364]

So, I get a call a few minutes ago that says, "This is heather calling for ____________ " (The person they are calling for was married to my dad many, many years ago. So she was my step mom, but no longer--we'll call her Susie Smith).

"Miss Smith, please call us at such and such number at ext 1234. We will be available to help you until 9pm."

Ok, obviously I know Susie Smith, so I called the number. "UCB" the girl answers.

Me, "Hi, can you tell me what your company does?" girl, "We help in personal business matters." Me, "Can you be more specific?" girl, "No, federal law prohibits me from giving you any more info than that. Is this Susie Smith?"
me, "I know a Susie Smith, and I would consider passing the info to her, if you tell me who you are and why you are calling." Girl, "again, federal law prohibits me...blah blah blah."

me, "Then I am prohibited from passing on the info. Can you tell me how you happened to be calling for Susie Smith at THIS #?" girl, "if someone is linked to you, as a friend or family.."

Me, "ok, then you can remove my number, because I cannot help you, and Susie Smith has never lived here. You have the wrong #."

That's pretty much the gist. I assume this is a collection agency. At any rate I was pretty disgusted to learn that now they call "family" to look for money. I mean, we haven't been "related" for a good 20 years!!!

This sounds like company that buys old debt that's past to point where collection can legally be enforced. They buy this debt for pennies on the dollar, then go about locating the person and trying to scare them into paying anything. They collect enough to make it worth their time.

Most of the time if you tell them you don't know the person, they quit calling. On the occasion when they don't, I ask for their mailing address to send them a certified letter to cease and desist with the calls. Once I tell them the person doesn't live here and I no longer have any contact information on them, they quit calling.

My step-son has never taken my advice and continues to have credit issues. I finally got tired of the calls and stopped helping them find my step-sons phone number and new address. I've also stopped accepting his mail at our house address. The calls have pretty much quit now.