New phone number and creditors

[Beef]

I moved into a new place and whoever had my phone number before me was getting hounded by creditors. I have received 4 phone calls today and missed them all, but they have gone to my answering machine. Can I just answer these calls and tell these people that this is a new person at this number and to stop calling?

 

[mojo mofo]

Good luck. We had the same situation happen last year when we moved to our new place. We would tell them they had the wrong number and they kept on calling. Frustrating.

 

[veggieboy]

Very same thing happened to me as well just two months ago.

I only use my landline for DSL/Dish Netowork/security system so I mainly left my ringer off.

I turned it on one day, and it rang within 30 mins. I was like, WTF? No one even knew that number.

Anyway, I decided to leave it on for a day or two. After about 4 phone calls in one day (and me telling them each time it was a new number, and the guy didn't live there), I said **** it, and told them I was the guy.

I got the name of the creditor, the person's name who was calling me, their supervisor's name, and the contact number of the creditor. After I hung up, I called them right back and explained my situation to the supervisor.

I know that all sounds like a hassle, but that phone hasn't rang since...

 

[goofyboy]

tell them to no longer call you, that you will only coorespond thru mail, at the direction of your attorney. Give them your address. Also, today, send them a letter stating the same. Send the letter certified mail. This will get them to stop calling. I believe there is a penalty if they continue to call after you have sent the letter. Good luck.

 

[OrangeHair]

This is still happening to us after a year and a half. Problem is these debts get sold out to these collection companies over and over again. It's always a different company. We started answering the calls and explaining the situation. They usually don't call back but it's a new company calling the next day.

 

[Steel Shank]

Get a new number.

 

[Bevo71]

I've had the same number for at least 20 years. I started getting collection calls and letters for a person who I have never heard of, who is giving my address and phone number as his own. Not using my name.

Now what? I did talk with the supervisor of one agency, I am also getting mail. I am sure they hear the old "he doesnt live here" excuse in these circumstances, but how do I convince them?

 

[goofyboy]

use certified mail and send them a letter demanding that they stop calling and that you have no knowledge of the person that they are needing.
The Link can offer more suggestions.

 

[Smurfette]

I had that happen when I was in college. What I found worked was explaining to them I wasn't who they were looking for, and their continueing to call me was harrassment.

I hate collections companies.