Posted on 01/04/2007 5:10:17 PM PST by Royal Wulff
I am getting automated calls from a collection agency seeking payment from the person who used to live in my apartment.
I cannot hang up on the calls. Even if I hang up, the call is still there if I pick up the phone after 30 seconds.
What's up with that? Surely that's against law.
Yeah, but you've never been FILK.
They reverse the address in the event that the debtor still lives there with a new phone number. It's not all that uncommon.
I've been getting voicemail messages on my cell from somebody's lawyer discussing particulars of a court case. I'm pretty sure counsel could get in trouble for that; you'd think she'd be more careful.
I didn't even know him, and the agency's attitude was "get your neighbor to pay, or pay it yourself, and we'll stop calling."
After 3 calls, I told them that I was filing a complaint with the FTC (I had asked them the name and address where they wanted the money sent).
No more calls after that.
Leave a message saying that the caller has just called into a homicide scene where the owner of the residence was murdered and you need to speak to this caller and question him of his wherabouts at the time of the murder, etc.
I had a collection agency after me once - for a charge I'd paid up front and by credit card. They likely knew I didn't owe the money but were undeterred. They harrassed me for years and until I harrassed them back.
I kept calling the person who called me until they disconnected that line. Then I called them on other lines, over and over as they kept hanging up on me. The last guy I kept calling was completely flustered. They stopped calling.
>His phone and number stayed with the apartment?
Unless they obtain the new phone number by the old address figuring people will change the phone number under a diff name to avoid the agency.
The reason I ask, is that phone companies re-assign phone numbers too soon.
Ask for a new phone number at no charge due to the harrassment.
That's how I do it. Makes life simpler.
I used to enjoy giving unwanted callers a hard time, but I got tired of that. Then I used to hand the phone to my kids and tell them the call was for them. We got tired of that, too. Now I just let the machines do the job for me.
I suppose that they can call collect...
Don't feel bad, for a couple of years my phone number was one digit off of the number for one of the sleaziest motels in town. It was quite interesting for a while.
Wow, great side business. Rent out your bed the 16 hours a day you aren't using it.
After the reps at Bell Atlantic stopped laughing, they changed my number immediately.
Your state Attorney General's office might be a good place to start. The phone company, the FCC, and the Better Business Bureau might be another.
These folks only wanted a bed for an hour or so.
Yes, I am just assuming it was because of the apartment. I didn't even think it was because of the number. I've called the number they've left (repeatedly) on my voice mail and told them they had the wrong person.
I can understand their interest in collecting a debt. What really bothered me was their ability to tie up my phone line with their automated call.
Definately call the phone company and the police (not 911) and report the harassment. In many cases, you will get a new phone number. If they're tying up you line, it creates a threatening situation in that you cannot make an emergency call.
The magic words are (1) I am recording this call and (2) you are harassing me. They are in deep doo-doo if you take them to court for harassment.
Get the name of the agency, and call them, talk to the manager and chew him a new a**hole.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.