Awhile ago , well along bit ago I got a unlisted #. Changed my # after my sister lived with me. Due to a few issues she had.
All this time I have been getting calls for other ppl who had the # before me. Come to find out , they them selves had a few issues. To say the least.
Being the kind of person i am I just kept telling the ones who called for the other ppl how i got the #.
I did try to call the phone company back and get a new #. They said sure for another 45 dollars. Being stubborn , I thought heck no.
I would get a call about 2 times a month for these ppl. Each time I explain how i got the #. Each time it was settled. Well you would think the one time a police person called here looking for someone., and I went threw the whole story again. Luckly small town. They knew me or could check.
That one should have really set me off. Nop......
The part that made me very aware. Was when it effected my credit card.
I Had to prove who I was because I had changed my #. The # brought up these other sets of ppl. Who had bigger issues than I thought.
After dealing many times with them. I hope , I pray its fixed.
The smart thing for me to have done. But I did not know why this was happening was to unblock my # so they could see my name.
I got a wonderful person who told me to lose that #. After I answered a ton of questions. Alot ....of them.
Who would have thought they would give you a # hooked with so many issues .
Also lesson learned if you are calling a company and they more than likely need to know who you are and have a unlisted # unblock it LOL
Lesson of a lamb....that may make lesson ....i have lost track

I can laugh now, but its been that kinda day

Muff, I have had this number for FOUR MONTHS, and whoever joan is, she had very poor credit, owed alot of money, and apparently knew alot of people

I dont know how many times i have had to explain she no longer has this number.. and i keep telling the telemarketers that she doesnt live here, they keep calling

aw(Rain)))))))))))) that made me laugh really hard (((ty))

I at one point was even getting one persons Drs apts. Lucky again I know the Drs office LOL
and the school. LOL and on and on...
I guess its a real issue to have a old # of ppl with some issues.
As the really nice man told me. Im glad I can laugh now.
I do not think the phone company will laugh tomorrow LOL
Of course how would they know.....unless the ppl did not pay thier bill

good thing life is so good awwwwwwwww

Man that reminds me of when my dad got a new cellphone some guy kept on calling him and asking him for Miguel it stopped after awhile though

(kaika))))))))))))) I guess it happens alot. LOL
I really never would have thought to much about it till it flaged my credit card company.. Which all in all is a good thing.
I do not use the card to much so I did not know till i tryed.
At least they are doing thier job. LOL
The man from the company ,,,,just went lady those 3 other ppl who had that #before you had alot of bagage. LOL...
The phone calls acually have stopped. knock on wood. LOL
I am praying I have the rest straightened out .
I now will use my cell lol

[filifera]

Same old thing. I had one number that was two swapped digits different from the local weather office. SO told one early morning caller that we were sorry but everything at the weather station was all screwed up and we couldn't tell what the weather was, so would the caller mind sticking his head out the window and let us know what it was doing?

Someone named Rene got a lot of callers at our next (unlisted) phone number. They'd argue with us when we said she wasn't here and this wasn't her number. Got that one changed, and got caller ID and a programmable phone that would just hang up on anyone calling from any of Rene's argumentative friends.

A couple numbers later, on a brand new prefix in a brand new area code, we started getting calls from a high school letting us know that "our son" was absent again, or had been sent to the principal's office, or had a detention. Some kid gave the school a fake phone number I guess. I called and told them the kid had lied to them, and they were shocked, I say SHOCKED!! that a teenager would do such a thing (sigh)

Same number also didn't belong to someone who owed a local dentist a bunch of money. It also doesn't belong to someone with a drunk friend who liked to call collect from Florida in the middle of the night and leave messages in very drunken and garbled Spanish.

Tip: You can tell the phone company you're getting harrassing calls from someone you don't want to talk to. They'll change your number without charge in that case.

Another tip: Begin your answering machine message with that "doot doot deet" tone you hear when you call a number that's been disconnected. A lot of automated phone equipment (telemarketers etc.) will hear that and disconnect automatically because they think it means the call failed. Better telemarketing equipment will remove the "disconnected" number from its programs. Humans will still get through because we are still smarter than dumb computers (I worked for awhile at a company that made high end telephone hardware, which is why I just happen to know this).

The programmable phone I got was well worth the cost, as you can route calls based on caller ID to different mailboxes and different "answering machine" behavior. For example, for someone who persistently dials the wrong number, you can program it to say "I'm sorry, you've dialed the wrong number" and hang up without taking a message. The phone is the Nortel Meridian 9516. There are versions of the same phone made more recently by other companies, and it's worth hunting down if you really want to minimize the stupid calls.

(((filifera))) you said ((Tip: You can tell the phone company you're getting harrassing calls from someone you don't want to talk to. They'll change your number without charge in that case.))))
I did that awhile back. They said for another 45 or what ever it was they would.
But now they will have to do it for free. I think. I should have just payed it before and changed it . My fault I was stubborn.
I have caller ID. When the police called I of course picked up . I thought one of my kids were hurt.
As I said after talking to the person from the card company. I will say once again he was really nice.
He repeated to me a few times. How important it was to change it as the ppl it was hooked too.Not good
live and learn I guess.....
Im glad to know this has happened to others.
I love the weather story LOLOLOLOL to cute

[nowheretorun]

((muffy)))) we just have to roll with it at times... i get how frustrating, annoying, scary it can be.... use the great skills you have of persistent insistence on what is right and wrong... in the long run this difference always boils down to matters of health...

communication is an important aspect of understanding... in todays semi-trained world and busy days, SOP sometimes takes over and we can find with patience and care that there are real life people everywhere... the phone does not make them imaginary in anyway... they each have thoughts, feelings, as we ourself do...

i know you are doing all you can to humanize this experience for all

i know you are getting through it day by day, moment by moment

sorry if i rambled

kindness always caring and gentle (but stubborn) person EDIT: not stubborn, persistent


ps. i love you

[AAAAA]

Part of the trouble with this is that the former owners of the numbers also used the "he/she no longer has this number" too! They're used of hearing it and don't believe you.

Originally Posted by nowheretorun

((muffy)))) we just have to roll with it at times... i get how frustrating, annoying, scary it can be.... use the great skills you have of persistent insistence on what is right and wrong... in the long run this difference always boils down to matters of health...

communication is an important aspect of understanding... in todays semi-trained world and busy days, SOP sometimes takes over and we can find with patience and care that there are real life people everywhere... the phone does not make them imaginary in anyway... they each have thoughts, feelings, as we ourself do...

i know you are doing all you can to humanize this experience for all

i know you are getting through it day by day, moment by moment

sorry if i rambled

kindness always caring and gentle (but stubborn) person EDIT: not stubborn, persistent

ps. i love you

(((nowheretorun))))))))))) stubborn may have been the right word, persistent. too.
If I had not been so stubborn in the first place I would have changed it to begin with lol
so acually its my fault. As soon as the some of the calls started coming threw. Not the normal kind . Thats when I prolly should have fixed it.
But i did not. At least the man I talked to gave me lots of info. Was really helpful.
Of course now all this is making me think
PPL Out there need to be aware of this. I did not go into all the details of this but it even inpacted my son renting a movie. As one set of ppl had used the # at the vid store. And thats a minor one. Luckly they know me there too
P.S. love you too

Originally Posted by AAAAA

Part of the trouble with this is that the former owners of the numbers also used the "he/she no longer has this number" too! They're used of hearing it and don't believe you.

((((AAAAA))))))))) You are so right, With the police when they called for the one person was I gave my name and address. With out hesatation. Told them they could come to the house to verifiy. I was very blessed with most as most knew me.
Now the credit card company I had to prove who I was lololol

[pachyderm]

I have had my telephone number for more than nine years -- and I still sometimes get calls that I think are for its previous owner. She was a therapist! I get calls over and over saying "This is your last call" to change your credit card information!

I have an answering machine that I let filter all my calls...

((pachy))) i keep getting one that this is my second notice on car warrenty. LOLOL
its been I can not tell you how many times they have called.
I have a answering machine and caller ID
9 years .............oh wow

[AAAAA]

We keep getting that one too! What is that?!?!? Second notice that the warranty will be up on our car?!?!?!?

(((((AAAAA)))))))))))))))))))))) I get it on my cell phone too LOLOLOLOL
what drives me crazy is its thier 400 th call LOLOLOLOL
((ty))) for making me laugh

[Rachie]

You think thats bad i have some bloke ringing me on my mobile thinking im a prostitute thats named samira...me and my friends get a giggle out of making him drive all over sydney to 'meet up' with me lol. I live no where near sydney lol

LOL ((Rachie)))))))))))))))))) that really made me laugh lolol
I always thought they put old #s out of use. Silly me. as I found out.

[Rachie]

Yeah you think they would ay! In aus with mobile numbers after they have been in active for 12months they give them to someone else. Ive rang my old number before lol. Im glad you got a laugh out of it muffy =) my friends and i are always guaranteed a laugh when he calls. Also im the only person i know of that telemarketers hang up on me instead of me hanging up on them. I just try selling them whatever they are trying to sell me or just ask them outrageous questions. I remember one time someone tried to sell me a cheap holiday, he made the mistake of telling me i could go whereever i wanted, i said i want to go to the mon hes like no no you cant go there i said bak but you said i can go WhHERE EVER i want this went on for 5 mins or so i then pretended to cry he eventually hung up hahaha =D

[Rachie]

Thats meant to be moon not mon lol

Originally Posted by Rachie

Yeah you think they would ay! In aus with mobile numbers after they have been in active for 12months they give them to someone else. Ive rang my old number before lol. Im glad you got a laugh out of it muffy =) my friends and i are always guaranteed a laugh when he calls. Also im the only person i know of that telemarketers hang up on me instead of me hanging up on them. I just try selling them whatever they are trying to sell me or just ask them outrageous questions. I remember one time someone tried to sell me a cheap holiday, he made the mistake of telling me i could go whereever i wanted, i said i want to go to the mon hes like no no you cant go there i said bak but you said i can go WhHERE EVER i want this went on for 5 mins or so i then pretended to cry he eventually hung up hahaha =D

HAHAHAHAHAHA (rachie))))))))))))))))))))) hahahahahahahahahaha

I will have to try that. LOLOLOLOLOL
I can ask alot of questions in life. I could have some fun with this. HAHA
LOL Im still laughing awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I always thought as I said that they put them out of use. As I had called my parents old # many times. Even after 8 years it says no more info is there,.....
Thank you so much for the laugh awwwwwww

[Rachie]

No worries muffy anytime =D *hugs* it feels nice to know i made someone laugh today =)

you did (Rachie)))))))))))))))))))))))
(((ty)))))

[Rachie]

I feel good now that i made you laugh so thank you =D

[SICKlySweet]

Originally Posted by muffy

Awhile ago , well along bit ago I got a unlisted #. Changed my # after my sister lived with me. Due to a few issues she had.
All this time I have been getting calls for other ppl who had the # before me. Come to find out , they them selves had a few issues. To say the least.
Being the kind of person i am I just kept telling the ones who called for the other ppl how i got the #.
I did try to call the phone company back and get a new #. They said sure for another 45 dollars. Being stubborn , I thought heck no.
I would get a call about 2 times a month for these ppl. Each time I explain how i got the #. Each time it was settled. Well you would think the one time a police person called here looking for someone., and I went threw the whole story again. Luckly small town. They knew me or could check.
That one should have really set me off. Nop......
The part that made me very aware. Was when it effected my credit card.
I Had to prove who I was because I had changed my #. The # brought up these other sets of ppl. Who had bigger issues than I thought.
After dealing many times with them. I hope , I pray its fixed.
The smart thing for me to have done. But I did not know why this was happening was to unblock my # so they could see my name.
I got a wonderful person who told me to lose that #. After I answered a ton of questions. Alot ....of them.
Who would have thought they would give you a # hooked with so many issues .
Also lesson learned if you are calling a company and they more than likely need to know who you are and have a unlisted # unblock it LOL
Lesson of a lamb....that may make lesson ....i have lost track

I can laugh now, but its been that kinda day

That can be very aggravating

I have had this happen many times b4 with the two #'s I now have.
Our city & surrounding area were having a heck of a time a couple of months ago, it was on the news about how ppl were getting up to 10 different telemarketers calling in a week. I ignored them for as long as I could stand, than I would call them back.

AND Boy do ya ever have to be clear & quick cuz they are well trained. No, seems to mean to them I will get you my supervisor whom is even more well versed in getting you to buy something.

I simply ask them right away, Please add my number to your no calling list.

Or that fog horn that you get from the Cruise lines after you say hello? If you were deaf you no longer are after that.

I had a few personal calls to my cell # when I had just gotten it last year, they called each morning at 6 or earlier, thankfully I hadn't gone to bed yet or had just gotten up. :S They were guys looking for their supervisor for some type of construction company.

I had this one lady call for some girl. Thought I had gotten rid of her. She calls back repeats my number and was like well the number's correct, but where is she? You're not her. DUHHHHHH She wanted to argue with me about my number not being mine. I hung up. LMAO I am not obligated to stay on the phone with anyone. It is not my duty to repeat. AND I don't like to waste my cell, paying for other ppl's mistakes.


There is a time to be polite, and there is also a time to bring out a buisness like sharpness. <<That always seems to work the best for me.

[SICKlySweet]

Originally Posted by muffy

((pachy))) i keep getting one that this is my second notice on car warrenty. LOLOL
its been I can not tell you how many times they have called.
I have a answering machine and caller ID
9 years .............oh wow

Oh Yea! Hahaha, that is a gooood one that they have now, they are so sneaky! You know b4 it was they had the name of someone else, or it was just your normal telemarketers trying to sell you something.

BUT this one about your car warranty----that is genius! I was like, WHAT? I don't even have a vehicle. They really make you think that you are supposed to have that. (even with a vehicle)

haha my dad told me he just called them on that a few weeks ago, and he wanted to know just how they operated, so he tells them that he has a large company where he has something like 40 vehicles, and that he keeps them allll up to date, the telemarketer was like WoW (u know BIG SALE, we gotta get this guy!!!) SO he gets his supervisor, and the supervisor is leanin on my dad and asking him all of these things, and you know the big thing that all of those sellers do over the phone (well today is your last chance at getting this discount blah blah blah) Supervisor asks how he got this # AND my dad said something along the lines of... well I am the CEO of this company (just a made up one) and if you want any business done with my company, I don't deal in this smaller stuff, you should give the Company office a call and they will sort this out (for the sale) and the supervisor was like ok, he didn't want to lose the Sale, but basically he did. There was a little bit more to it than that. I can't recall the rest. BUT they really scrambled, there were like 3 or 4 of them going back and forth trying to keep my dad on the line. HAha

So to all you telemarketers out there, we know not to shoot the messenger, as I am sure you are trained in it.