I'm getting harrassing phone calls for someone else

[Catshrink]

I have my number listed under my initial B. There is a Beverly in the same town with the same last name who is in finanical trouble, apparently. (My last name is a bit unusual so there aren't many of us.)

I started getting phone calls for her and just ignored them. I even had a phone call from the police department at 3am looking for her!

They stopped for a while, but the past two weeks have they have picked up again. I phoned two of the callers and told them to stop bugging me, that I'm not Beverly.

They're still calling. The last one threatened to file the papers and have me served. WTF? Can I be served with someone else's papers? How does that work? Do I need to hire a lawyer to deal with Beverly's problems? Anyone else had this kind of thing happen?

[7th_Sephiroth]

1. dont worry, it will all come to an end

when bush is re-selected in 2,004 and your name is replaced by a number

[LosinIt]

2. Had a bill collector harassing us about a credit care we never had

Same name as my husband's but when we finally got them to give us the SS# it wasn't his. So they asked for his, yeah right, we didn't cough it up. They have calling on and off for more than a year. I was wondering if it could be a scam after they asked for his SS#.

[Catshrink]

3. Most likely a scam...

And the number they gave you was probably bogus.

These people haven't asked for my SSN. I'm just going to ignore them. I could call again, but it's a labyrinth of press this number, press that number. Pain in the butt and why should I do their research?

(In Homer Simpson mutter): stupid lawyers.

[NicoleM]

4. Even if

they serve you with Beverly's papers, you're not Beverly, so there's nothing they can do to you if you just ignore them.

You may have to change your phone number, though, if you want people to stop calling. They're probably not going to take "I'm not Beverly" for an answer.

[patdem]

5. Threaten to sue them for harassment. Even if you are Bev you

still have the right to stop harassing phone calls. Make them put it in writing and get a recorder and tell them their phone calls are being recorded.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. If you are served with papers

especially if they are small claims court papers, all you have to do is fill them out, explaining that you are NOT the person indicated. Send along a xerox of your driver's license as proof. If it is a higher court, simply call the judge and explain what is going on. Again provide documentation, ie a driver's license or something with your full name and address-maybe a phone bill would be good, too.

If someone keeps harrassing you thinking you are Beverly, demand THEIR name, address, and phone number. Tell them you are recording the call to use in court, and that you will be sending them a registered letter promising actions for harrassment if they don't cease and desist. That ought to shut them up.

[REP]

7. Call Your Phone Co's Annoyance Call Bureau

They can't file papers against you since you're not her.

[Melsky]

8. I had this problem too

I got calls for a woman who used to have my phone number. At least I did not have a similar name as her. I finally got caller ID, after half the calls I got were rude and harassing creditors.

I would find out who it is that is calling, get their mailing address and send them a registered letter stating you are not this person, and to please stop harassing you. This could be handy later if it doesn't stop.

[Catshrink]

10. That is a great idea! That is exactly what I'm going to do.

Right now. I'll have to get out of my jammies to go to the PO, but dang, it's worth it.

Is it okay to say "Leave me the fuck alone!"?

[catzies]

9. Same thing used to happen to me a lot (very common name)

First, unlist your number.

Second, when those idiots call again ask what it would take for them to believe you. In my case, I made a copy of my SS card (with all but the last 4 digits blacked out) and had it notarized and sent it to them proving it was not the same as the one on their collections account.

Third, contact your state's consumer protection bureau and tell them what's happening and ask them for advice.

But one your number's unlisted the calls will stop in time.

[Don_G]

11. Ignore It

Politely explain that you're not the individual that they're looking for and make a note of who called, what company they work for and when. If you get a second call from the same company, refer to your notes and firmly explain that you've told so and so on whatever date that I'm not the person you're looking for.

And add "This is the second time I've explained it. If I get another call, I will call my state AG's office and file a harrassment complaint."

[Warpy]

12. Start a paper trail

Call the phone company and tell them what is happening. They will probably offer you a new number. Take it if you can. That will stop the calls until the harassers get your new number. Go unlisted and unpublished if you can. There's usually a fee for this (!), but it will cut down on a lot of junk calls from telemarketers as well as harassers.

Make notes of the people who are harassing you. Buy a phone answering machine, and have the message "I'm not Beverly, so if you're calling for her, pick on the other number."

If they try to serve papers on you, show the process server your ID and tell them to go back and do their damn homework.

If harassment persists, pay a lawyer (or even a paralegal) a retainer and have a nasty letter written to the worst of them threatening a lawsuit.

If this doesn't work, start filing formal charges with your state Attorney General. The forms for doing this are usually online. You'd be amazed what good a nasty letter from the AG's office will do for you.

Good luck. I've had to get rid of a similar problem, so I know what you're going through.