harassing call help

I hope this is in the right section.

I've been getting voice mail every day for 2 weeks now and being deaf, I use my cell phone only for text messages. So I had to have someone check the voice mail.

All legit business (doctors, banks, credits, etc) have my parent's landline number since most offices aren't set up to check if the person they need to call is deaf, and make alternate method to call me. It has worked for me but this one is bothering me.

My Mother checked the voice mail and said it was a demand from debt collection to call back but the problem is no legit business has my cell # and there is no reason for them to call and harass me. When my Mom tried to call them, (I told her NOT to give the name, and she used my cell so their caller ID would show my number) to see what they said, they refused to speak unless the name was given first. So we don't even know who they are looking for but I see 3 possibilities:
1: they are looking for someone who used to have my number before I got my cell phone.
2: it's a bad phishing attempt.
3: wrong number on legit debt (number transposed or something) and it's not mine.

The originating number is from Detroit, 313-208-7138. I did Google on it, some result complained it's scam and some complained it's debt collection with wrong number or wrong person.

I'd like some help on dealing with this. It seems they won't stop calling my number unless they somehow believe I am not the person they are looking for. Maybe harassment claim?

I've never had this type of problem, but I would say if they call again, have your mother call back as she did before (unless you want to do it through a VRS or something...not deaf, not sure what is available on your cell) and when they ask for a name, give them a fake name. If they say that's who they're looking for, you know its phishing. If it's a legit company, they'll realize they have the wrong number. I'm assuming of course that there is no reason a debt collector would be calling you.

Like I said, I've never had this problem, so I don't know if its good advise, but its most likely what I would do.

When I first got my cell, I had set up my voicemail message to say: "This is (me). If you're looking for (the person everyone kept asking for), you have the wrong number)." Drove my family and friends nuts, but it did eventually reduce the number of wrong calls I received.

I know there are ways to block texts. You may want to check with your cell phone company (probably can do it online) to see if you can block phone calls from a specific number. That's my other advice.

Just block the number.

write your Attny.General and include # along with complaint... it will stop.

I had my cell phone service provider remove the voice mail feature OFF my phone so I no longer get voice mails. It would annoy me to see an icon for voice mail and I am unable to do anything about it because I am deaf. Voice mail is utterly useless to me so I had it removed by the provider. If you don't want it, have them remove it. Problem solved.

step one - remove voice mail from your phone.
step two - sign up for do not call registry for your cell phone and VP.
step three - never use your cell phone ever for call backs even if hearing person helps. always use relay. I dont care if it legitimate or not - ALL businesses need to stop being an ass and start catering to the deaf/hoh population . NONE of my creditors have my cell numbers and if they do - its fightable in court if they try. Simple - they can pay for hearing tests - they can be embarrassed by judges and loose credibility by simply saying robo calls and any attempts to call voice that is not a VRS number due to communication barrier. It's not rocket science.

Bottesini said:

Just block the number.

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I thought you had to a service from your phone carrier to block a # . I do with Verizon on my landline phone. It cost extra per month so I said forget it. I find the Do Not Call list to be a joke , I signed up for it and I still get unwanted calls and it's a pain to file a complain . You have get all kind info to file a complain.

For our land line we signed up for the NO MO ROBO
It works, we get no computer calls anymore. It's FREE!!!

whatdidyousay! said:

I thought you had to a service from your phone carrier to block a # . I do with Verizon on my landline phone. It cost extra per month so I said forget it. I find the Do Not Call list to be a joke , I signed up for it and I still get unwanted calls and it's a pain to file a complain . You have get all kind info to file a complain.

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I don't have a phone at all, but when I did it was a cell phone, and I am fairly certain it was just available with any number. No extra fee. Just input it into the phone.

Simple, if you know you don't have any debts... ignore it. Obviously it wouldn't be pertaining to you if you don't owe debts. Do as suggested too, get rid of your voice-mail. Problems solved.

wilykat said:

I hope this is in the right section.

I've been getting voice mail every day for 2 weeks now and being deaf, I use my cell phone only for text messages. So I had to have someone check the voice mail.

All legit business (doctors, banks, credits, etc) have my parent's landline number since most offices aren't set up to check if the person they need to call is deaf, and make alternate method to call me. It has worked for me but this one is bothering me.

My Mother checked the voice mail and said it was a demand from debt collection to call back but the problem is no legit business has my cell # and there is no reason for them to call and harass me. When my Mom tried to call them, (I told her NOT to give the name, and she used my cell so their caller ID would show my number) to see what they said, they refused to speak unless the name was given first. So we don't even know who they are looking for but I see 3 possibilities:
1: they are looking for someone who used to have my number before I got my cell phone.
2: it's a bad phishing attempt.
3: wrong number on legit debt (number transposed or something) and it's not mine.

The originating number is from Detroit, 313-208-7138. I did Google on it, some result complained it's scam and some complained it's debt collection with wrong number or wrong person.

I'd like some help on dealing with this. It seems they won't stop calling my number unless they somehow believe I am not the person they are looking for. Maybe harassment claim?

Click to expand...

I believe I can help answer some questions for you since I was briefly a debt collector.

wilykat said:

I've been getting voice mail every day for 2 weeks now and being deaf, I use my cell phone only for text messages. So I had to have someone check the voice mail.

All legit business (doctors, banks, credits, etc) have my parent's landline number since most offices aren't set up to check if the person they need to call is deaf, and make alternate method to call me. It has worked for me but this one is bothering me.

My Mother checked the voice mail and said it was a demand from debt collection to call back but the problem is no legit business has my cell # and there is no reason for them to call and harass me.

Click to expand...

If you feel like you might have an outstanding debt out there then I'd recommend checking into it and checking your Credit Report once a year. As for how they got your phone number let's assume you do owe a debt then it was most likely a Skip Tracer who found your number. A Skip Tracer works for a debt collection agency and the only job they have is trying to find the person who owes a debt.

wilykat said:

When my Mom tried to call them, (I told her NOT to give the name, and she used my cell so their caller ID would show my number) to see what they said, they refused to speak unless the name was given first. So we don't even know who they are looking for but I see 3 possibilities:
1: they are looking for someone who used to have my number before I got my cell phone.
2: it's a bad phishing attempt.
3: wrong number on legit debt (number transposed or something) and it's not mine.

Click to expand...

Under the FDCPA they are not allowed to talk to anyone except you unless you give permission.

As for your first assumption that it is a bad number then you need to inform them this and verify you are not the debtor by giving your number and number through either your mother or a Relay Service.

As for your second assumption I highly doubt it is a phishing attempt.

wilykat said:

The originating number is from Detroit, 313-208-7138. I did Google on it, some result complained it's scam and some complained it's debt collection with wrong number or wrong person.

Click to expand...

The truth is most debtors feel any Collection Agency is wrong or is a scam because they do not want pay or handle their obligations.. However, Collection Agencies are indeed scum and often violate the law. I can tell you I have left my time working for an agency off my resume.

wilykat said:

I'd like some help on dealing with this. It seems they won't stop calling my number unless they somehow believe I am not the person they are looking for. Maybe harassment claim?

Click to expand...

I'll give you some easy advice on this. If you feel the have the wrong number call them back and ask to speak to a supervisor and insist its a Supervisor and not a Team Leader. Let them know you are deaf and you give permission for your Mother or Relay Operator to speak for you and translate. Verify they have the correct person or if they have the wrong number.

If they claim the debt is indeed yours then by law which is the FDCPA have them send you a letter stating what the debt is and what is owed and they have to do this and cannot call you for 30 days under the FDCPA.

After this they have every right to call you if the debt is proved to be yours but I'd recommend settling with them you can often settle you debt and pay in full 50% or 75% of what was owed and call it a day.

If the debt is not yours and your still being harassed or if the debt is your and they violate the FDCPA then you can sue them and most likely win easily. Good luck!

I had several cases where the caller would not speak to anyone but me. My hearing ex would tell them that I'm deaf. They didn't care. They had me on the phone say my name or whatever then my ex took over. They just wanted to hear my voice and verify it was me. (even though they never heard my voice before) Sometimes I had to give them permission to speak to my ex through that method. I didn't care if they understood me or not. That's the way it is.

It could be those annoying Indian scammers in India or elsewhere trying to get money. Like Botts said, certain cellphones can block callers. iPhones do that easily and if not typically you can block numbers from an account online (with your service provider).

I don't get those on the home phone because I work out of state so I'm not around. I do get that on my cellphone though and I just ignore them. When I get a call from a number I don't recognize, I turn the phone off. I have no voice mail.....if you know you don't owe bills, ignore it. I would also get on a "Do not call" list which is free or contact your carrier and block the number. I've done that in the past when I was being blasted with unwanted calls. I was getting calls round the clock so I asked my carrier to block calls except from numbers, which I read to them. It actually worked.

Laura

I had some business using texting me with some ads and a church tried to call me several times to solicit something. I had to call thru VRS to tell them to quit calling my number and after that, they kept calling so I added their number to the block list in "My Verizon" and they have not bothered me since. (Verizon have 90 days block list)

I know someone had been charged $10 for the mistake when they texted back to a number that was not authorized. A call to the phone carrier and was able to get that charge removed.

I had my numbers added to "Do Not Call" registry years ago and I have not gotten much unfamiliar calls which is good thing. Telemarketers is a pain of annoyance.

MangaReader said:

I had several cases where the caller would not speak to anyone but me. My hearing ex would tell them that I'm deaf. They didn't care. They had me on the phone say my name or whatever then my ex took over. They just wanted to hear my voice and verify it was me. (even though they never heard my voice before) Sometimes I had to give them permission to speak to my ex through that method. I didn't care if they understood me or not. That's the way it is.

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Truth is they are afraid you might report them for violating the FDCPA. Many collectors can be sued for violations of the FDCPA. Collectors are typically not allowed to talk to anyone but who the debt involves unless permission has been granted by the debtor.

I'll give you an example of something that got a collector sued.

The debtor said, "You cannot squeeze blood from a turnip" and the collector responded "You not a turnip" which a court agreed was a threat.

Well, we used to get those harassing phone calls...via our home phone...I got rid of these people very quickly...not in a nice way tho'...some 4-letter explicts...and banging the phone on the table so it hurt their ear....One of my son even blew his Horn into the phone!........These are telemarketers....we did the same to people making obscene phone calls too...

Our phone now has quieted down a lot!...

I had my mother call back, not using real name. They were looking for someone that we didn't know so it was an old information or wrong information. They are supposed to stop calling my number, and so far no new call or voice mail from them.

It was still annoying that I couldn't do anything about it since I don't have a working TTY to call with and had to get someone available to call back.

the problem with most debt collectors is that they don't understand that deaf people CANNOT hear on the phone or talk on the phone........

HisShadowX said:

I believe I can help answer some questions for you since I was briefly a debt collector.



If you feel like you might have an outstanding debt out there then I'd recommend checking into it and checking your Credit Report once a year. As for how they got your phone number let's assume you do owe a debt then it was most likely a Skip Tracer who found your number. A Skip Tracer works for a debt collection agency and the only job they have is trying to find the person who owes a debt.



Under the FDCPA they are not allowed to talk to anyone except you unless you give permission.

As for your first assumption that it is a bad number then you need to inform them this and verify you are not the debtor by giving your number and number through either your mother or a Relay Service.

As for your second assumption I highly doubt it is a phishing attempt.



The truth is most debtors feel any Collection Agency is wrong or is a scam because they do not want pay or handle their obligations.. However, Collection Agencies are indeed scum and often violate the law. I can tell you I have left my time working for an agency off my resume.



I'll give you some easy advice on this. If you feel the have the wrong number call them back and ask to speak to a supervisor and insist its a Supervisor and not a Team Leader. Let them know you are deaf and you give permission for your Mother or Relay Operator to speak for you and translate. Verify they have the correct person or if they have the wrong number.

If they claim the debt is indeed yours then by law which is the FDCPA have them send you a letter stating what the debt is and what is owed and they have to do this and cannot call you for 30 days under the FDCPA.

After this they have every right to call you if the debt is proved to be yours but I'd recommend settling with them you can often settle you debt and pay in full 50% or 75% of what was owed and call it a day.

If the debt is not yours and your still being harassed or if the debt is your and they violate the FDCPA then you can sue them and most likely win easily. Good luck!

Click to expand...

There are the three main credit report monitoring service. You can get one for free annually. What I did was get one from Equinax, look it over and report any corrections. Then wait for 4 months before ordering from the 2nd one. To make sure the corrections were done. If not, report again, then after 4 months, get the free from the 3rd company.

I was surprised they listed credit cards from my Gallaudet days.....20 years ago

HisShadowX said:

checking your Credit Report once a year.

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