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I keep getting a recorded message on my machine about an important business message and then they leave an 800 number for me to call.

This is a typical message left by a collection agency. Legally, they can't leave a message identifying themselves (because someone else might hear it and embarrass you).

They aren't necessarily looking for you: they may be looking for someone with a similar name or even someone that is/was married to someone with a similar name (this actually happened to me). They pick your number out of a phone book and put the burden on you to "prove" you have nothing to do with the overdue account.

I put a stop to it by sending them a certified letter that further calls would be considered harrassment and I would file charges with the police. I even quoted the relevant state law. They haven't bothered me after that.

OK, now you've got me curious enough to call them. If it's a collection agency, they don't seem to be doing too good of a job. I've had this unlisted number for over six years. If it's for the previous holder of the number, they've wasted over two months calling me.

I wonder what their collection rate is, 10%? Do they just use a war dialer and a recording? Hey, at least it's cheap on labor.

I thought it was a new technique telemarketers were using. If it is, I can't imagine it working very well.

You were correct. They called early this morning so I figured, what the hell. I called the number, when a human answered I asked why was I receiving harassing calls? She asked for my number, and then she said it was for someone I'd never heard of and would remove my number from the list. She never even asked for my name.

Hopefully that's the end.