Anyone else having trouble with weird collection agency phone calls?

[Thtwudbeme]

I bet Michael and I have had 30 of these in the past month...probably more. The number shows up as "unidentified caller" on caller ID...

When I answer someone asks for a person by name--- So far they have asked for Stacy, Kimberly and Justin. When I tell them, "no...you have the wrong number..." they slam the phone down. If I do not answer, they hang up when the answering machine picks up.

So, I tried to keep the guy on the line tonight (he wanted to speak to "Kimberly") to find out the name of the company and get taken off the list--he yelled at me, accused me of being rude...and slammed the phone down.

What the HELL can I do about this? It's gotten to the point where it is seriously getting on my nerves.

[bedpanartist]

1. never answer

a phone call with no id on it. NEVER.

[Thtwudbeme]

2. When I don't answer the calls increase....

OK, seriously...don't mean to sound stupid here...but, why shouldn't someone answer that type of call?

[bedpanartist]

5. don't answer - EVER

and eventually they'll give up and go away. Your number will be noted as non-active. Trust me. NEVER answer a call from this kind of human shit.

[Thtwudbeme]

9. Even though they get voice mail or an answering machine?

?

[bedpanartist]

12. NEVER MEANS

NEVER. Screw them. If you find out where they are from, send them feces in the mail.

[xmas74]

3. I've been getting them too.

I called the phone company and got the call privacy option. If the number does not register on caller ID or is an 800 number it is immediately transferred to an automated message that states that I do not take blocked calls and that they have to identify themselves before I will answer.

It's cut down on those type of calls by nearly 50%.

[azmouse]

6. I never heard of that option before

but I like it. I think I'll call tomorrow and get that on my phone. Thanks for the idea.

[lizziegrace]

7. SBC calls it "Privacy Manager"

It's great. If they don't want to leave their name, your phone never rings.
:)

[Thtwudbeme]

8. me either, I am looking it up now

Thanks from me too!

[xmas74]

13. It's easy to use.

And, for example, my brother has an unlisted number that does not show up on caller ID. I gave him my access code which allows him to override the message and will let the phone ring directly through. He and two of my friends are the only ones that have the code-no one else does.

[xmas74]

10. You're welcome.

There is also a pin number that you can give out to friends and family members w/ private numbers. They enter the code and they can override the message.

The difference is that the telemarkters and collection agencies cannot.

[Droopy]

4. I get calls from a collection agency

looking for a woman who has my last name. I've told them twice that she doesn't live here and I don't know anyone who goes by that name. They keep calling anyway.

[bedpanartist]

11. I get calls from an angency

looking for me, but I always act like an old Indian man who cannot understand what they are saying, and always end with, "he no live here."