Do Not Call complaints

[badunnin]

I've had my phone number since October, and the guy who had it before me was apparently a deadbeat. I've had credit card calls, etc for him, and most have stopped. However, one hasn't - Rent-A-Center. About a month ago I told them that he no longer lived here, no, that isn't the address for this account, and could you please make a note of this. I've since received 3 more calls, the last one just a few moments ago.

I don't know if it's the right place to go, but I am on the DNC list, and filed a complaint. Any ideas on this one?

[AndreaU]

I, too, would have filed a complaint with the DNC registry. Since they say it may take a few weeks for that to kick in, maybe you could call RAC's head office/collections dept. to try to put an end to it. I know that means you'd need to initiate, but maybe that might help. (?) Whatever happens, I hope it clears up and soon! That is pretty annoying.

[Gumbeaux]

It sounds like the calls you are getting are from people wanting their money that is owed by the previous owner of the phone number. I don't think the Do Not Call program will help in this situation since it is not telemarketers who are calling you and the DNC program applies only to solicitors.

Tell the people that call you not to call back or you will consider it harassment. There is a phone number in the front of the telephone book that you can call to report harassment. If you can't get help using that phone number maybe they can steer you in the right direction.

[EmilyK]

Keep track of the date/time of the call and exactly who called. Grill them for their specific information: title, name, return phone#, store#. Track it all and if they continue to call, you can file a complaint with the FTC (the complaint form has spaces for the specifics about the person contacting you). You can also warn the folks calling you that you plan to contact the FTC with a complaint about their company, since you've had to explain to them so many times that they are not contacting the person they need.

I don't think being on the DNC list will stop this, either. That list is for telemarketers only, you'll still get calls from charities and wrong numbers.

[mbrogier]

We had this problem with the person that had our old phone number. It was so bad that when we moved two years ago we changed phone numbers. We're now getting calls for that same girl at this number. I either let the answering machine pick up, or I tell them they have the wrong number--THEY DO!!! Most calls go away in a few months. The problem is that deadbeats usually lie, so they don't believe that you aren't his girlfriend or something. Just keep telling them they have the wrong number.

[gertdog]

Tell them they're in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and if they call again you'll sic your lawyer on them, and report them to your state's AG office. Once you tell them that the person they want is not at your number and is unknown to you, they are not allowed to call again.

[Dfen911]

Not sure if it'll work for you but sounds like something really really fun to do -

Telemarketers -

The phone rang as I was sitting down to my evening meal, and as I answered it I was greeted with "Is this Karl Brummer". Not sounding anything like my name, I asked who is calling.
The telemarketer said he was with The Rubber Band Powered Freezer Company or something like that, as I was no longer paying attention. Then I asked him if he knew Karl personally and why was he calling this number.
I then said off to the side, "get some pictures of the body at various angles and the blood smears", I then turned back to the phone and advised the caller that he had entered a murder scene and must stay on the line because we had already traced this call and he would be receiving a summons to testify in this murder case.
I questioned the caller at great length as to his name, address, phone number at home, at work, who he worked for, how he knew the dead guy and could he prove where he had been about one hour before he made this call.
The telemarketer was getting very concerned and his answers were given in a shaky voice. I then told him we had located his position and the police were entering the building to take him into custody, at that point I heard the phone fall and the scurrying of his running away.
My wife asked me as I returned to our table why I had tears streaming down my face and so help me, I couldn't tell her for about fifteen minutes.

My meal was cold, but it was the best meal in a long, long time.