Collection Calls

rmnc3r · 12-19-2010, 01:22 PM

NO, not for me.

Seeking the combined wisdom, experience, knowledge and advice of fellow C5ers:

Somehow, a person with the same last name but different
first name and middle initial got entered into some data base somewhere and we get collection calls at least once a week. We inform the caller that the person is not related to us and does not live at our address/phone #.

I've sent a letter to TransUnion, Experian and Equifax stating that the person is not associated with our family and should be removed/not linked to our Address and Phone #. I don't think that accomplished much.

Interestingly, the First Name is the same as my Father's ex-wife (divorced 1960 - lives in a different part of the state) and similar to my Mother's name (died 1989).

So the pertinent question is:

How do I go about getting this person removed/disassociated from our
Address and Phone #?

RatRacer · 12-19-2010, 01:32 PM

I had this happen. It was because I am listed in phone directories. So collection companies start calling everyone with the same name because they are using out dated info. I ask them what the last four of SSN they are looking for, and if it doesn't match, to do not call again or I would call the AG and lodge a complaint. I ask because it could be ID theft too.

Ivas · 12-19-2010, 01:45 PM

You don't. Those same mofo's called me for seven years. I tried being polite, persuasive, jovial, sympathetic to their book keeping problems, indignant, abusive

, threatening

and then finally resigned.

I learned to answer with a sigh, and say, "Ah, so it's you again..." Then I'd hang up.

I believe they'll drop the issue after the statute of limitations runs its course. You have years to go, bro...

2ndgenz28 · 12-19-2010, 01:56 PM

On your answering machine record a call can not be completed message.

Those places use automated calling, the person isn't even on the phone till you pick up.

That do do do were sorry, your call.......

That 3-4 tone that starts at the begining of the message, is computer talk for, this number is no good.

Record that error message on your machine so it plays over n over 5-6 times
So it will tell automated dialing to give up, or if someone picks up, they hear it too.

takes about a week and the calls stop.

We do that to get rid of telemarketers when hey flare up.
folks we know, know to call the cell.

It works real good.

midnighter · 12-19-2010, 01:59 PM

Why don't you change your phone # and not list the new one?

2010 SSRS · 12-19-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndgenz28

On your answering machine record a call can not be completed message.

Those places use automated calling, the person isn't even on the phone till you pick up.

That do do do were sorry, your call.......

That 3-4 tone that starts at the begining of the message, is computer talk for, this number is no good.

Record that error message on your machine so it plays over n over 5-6 times
So it will tell automated dialing to give up, or if someone picks up, they hear it too.

takes about a week and the calls stop.

We do that to get rid of telemarketers when hey flare up.
folks we know, know to call the cell.

It works real good.

I'm definitely going to do this, thanks for the info.

Redemption · 12-19-2010, 02:05 PM

Atleast in CA, it is illegal for them to call you after you have requested them to stop IN WRITING. Ask for the account number in question, and their mailing address. Then send them a certified letter explaining the situation.

The credit people cant do anything about it. Its all about a paper trail to the company calling you. I've had to do it a couple of times and it works perfectly! I have a common name which makes it worse!

Good luck!

2ndgenz28 · 12-19-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2010 SSRS

I'm definitely going to do this, thanks for the info.

This is the one I use, and it has worked well.

http://www.payphone-directory.org/so...otcomplete.wav

But they gots 100s more on that site.

http://www.payphone-directory.org/sounds.html

2ndgenz28 · 12-19-2010, 02:20 PM

I also do similar with our snailmail now.

Why should I accept snailmail spam when I don't accept email spam?

Anything that shows up in my mailbox out front who I don't know who its from or its obvious junk, I use a black marker to scribble out any bar codes on it, then glue a return to sender label over my address.

[bar code is read by computer, has to be blacked out so they have to open the mail to see who sent it back.]

I just print a bunch of these out on crap paper then wood glue them on the mail, so it can't be removed, so they have to open the junk mail.
And the post office makes money on the return shipping charges.
Help with them budget short falls

Apex Motorsports · 12-19-2010, 02:26 PM

I had something similar happen back in 2001. Collections services were calling me trying to track down some guy with the same name as my dad but my dad lives 1000 miles away. It wasn't long after that that we stopped home phone service and went 100% to cell phones. Nada since.

*SSE 4 2SS* · 12-19-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndgenz28

I also do similar with our snailmail now.

Why should I accept snailmail spam when I don't accept email spam?

Anything that shows up in my mailbox out front who I don't know who its from or its obvious junk, I use a black marker to scribble out any bar codes on it, then glue a return to sender label over my address.

[bar code is read by computer, has to be blacked out so they have to open the mail to see who sent it back.]

I just print a bunch of these out on crap paper then wood glue them on the mail, so it can't be removed, so they have to open the junk mail.
And the post office makes money on the return shipping charges.
Help with them budget short falls

I got so fed up with it one time I got a box, bout 12 X 12 x 8 inches high. Threw all the junk mail in there for about five or six weeks.

Then it was fun time, I got it out, sat right in the middle of the living room floor and started sorting...

Lets see, solicitation of donations from the holy rollers church of BFE,... ok,.... here's a Playboy subscription for you...

Next, Buy our magazines and get three years, for 12.95... ok... hmmm, how about an ad for you to buy this water softner,...

Next, American Red Cross, long story I will not into right now, but they are not nor will they ever be on any of my donate to list... ... hmmmm, ok, State Troopers Association renewel...

Etc...................

I walked into the post office the next day, and sent at least 20-30 lb's of crap right back to them all... Didn't cost me anything but time and I was laughing through most of it.

Mr_Draco · 12-19-2010, 05:06 PM

oh wow. If you really want to mess with them use this one.

http://www.payphone-directory.org/so...bell/using.wav

Also, if you want to use these it's recommended that you set your voice mail to pick up the call after 1-2 rings, the sooner the better. The reason is, if there is truly an error (number disconnected, couldn't be completed, etc) their phone won't ring, it will go straight to the error message. If the phone rings 5-6 times before going to voice mail, most people will know something is up.

2ndgenz28 · 12-19-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

oh wow. If you really want to mess with them use this one.

http://www.payphone-directory.org/so...bell/using.wav

Also, if you want to use these it's recommended that you set your voice mail to pick up the call after 1-2 rings, the sooner the better. The reason is, if there is truly an error (number disconnected, couldn't be completed, etc) their phone won't ring, it will go straight to the error message. If the phone rings 5-6 times before going to voice mail, most people will know something is up.

Having voice mail would defeat the whole purpose, must be a regular phone line with a home answering machine, with the error message repeating over and over as the message. sure at some point it will beep so they could leave a message but they won't get that.

Mr_Draco · 12-19-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

I got so fed up with it one time I got a box, bout 12 X 12 x 8 inches high. Threw all the junk mail in there for about five or six weeks.

Then it was fun time, I got it out, sat right in the middle of the living room floor and started sorting...

Lets see, solicitation of donations from the holy rollers church of BFE,... ok,.... here's a Playboy subscription for you...

Next, Buy our magazines and get three years, for 12.95... ok... hmmm, how about an ad for you to buy this water softner,...

Next, American Red Cross, long story I will not into right now, but they are not nor will they ever be on any of my donate to list... ... hmmmm, ok, State Troopers Association renewel...

Etc...................

I walked into the post office the next day, and sent at least 20-30 lb's of crap right back to them all... Didn't cost me anything but time and I was laughing through most of it.

We use to do something similar. We would keep all the junk mail and once a week or so we would go to a bunch "free subscription" websites and sign them up for all sorts of magazines and other junk.

12-19-2010, 01:22 PM	#1
rmnc3r Drives: me up the wall. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 471	Collection Calls NO, not for me. Seeking the combined wisdom, experience, knowledge and advice of fellow C5ers: Somehow, a person with the same last name but different first name and middle initial got entered into some data base somewhere and we get collection calls at least once a week. We inform the caller that the person is not related to us and does not live at our address/phone #. I've sent a letter to TransUnion, Experian and Equifax stating that the person is not associated with our family and should be removed/not linked to our Address and Phone #. I don't think that accomplished much. Interestingly, the First Name is the same as my Father's ex-wife (divorced 1960 - lives in a different part of the state) and similar to my Mother's name (died 1989). So the pertinent question is: How do I go about getting this person removed/disassociated from our Address and Phone #?

12-19-2010, 01:45 PM	#3
Ivas el Ruco Drives: 2010 Camaro SS (now runnin' TENS ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fontana, CA Posts: 7,388	The ever ringing phone. You don't. Those same mofo's called me for seven years. I tried being polite, persuasive, jovial, sympathetic to their book keeping problems, indignant, abusive, threatening and then finally resigned. I learned to answer with a sigh, and say, "Ah, so it's you again..." Then I'd hang up. I believe they'll drop the issue after the statute of limitations runs its course. You have years to go, bro...

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12-19-2010, 01:32 PM	#2
RatRacer Drives: 11 Synergy Green LS 15 Colorado Z71 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 401	I had this happen. It was because I am listed in phone directories. So collection companies start calling everyone with the same name because they are using out dated info. I ask them what the last four of SSN they are looking for, and if it doesn't match, to do not call again or I would call the AG and lodge a complaint. I ask because it could be ID theft too.

12-19-2010, 01:56 PM	#4
2ndgenz28 Thread Killer Drives: All Black Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NWO Toledo Area Posts: 4,720	On your answering machine record a call can not be completed message. Those places use automated calling, the person isn't even on the phone till you pick up. That do do do were sorry, your call....... That 3-4 tone that starts at the begining of the message, is computer talk for, this number is no good. Record that error message on your machine so it plays over n over 5-6 times So it will tell automated dialing to give up, or if someone picks up, they hear it too. takes about a week and the calls stop. We do that to get rid of telemarketers when hey flare up. folks we know, know to call the cell. It works real good.

12-19-2010, 01:59 PM	#5
midnighter Account Suspended Drives: nothing Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: a hole Posts: 17,906	Why don't you change your phone # and not list the new one?

12-19-2010, 02:05 PM	#7
Redemption Just Because! Drives: 2010 SIM 2SSRS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 6,909	Atleast in CA, it is illegal for them to call you after you have requested them to stop IN WRITING. Ask for the account number in question, and their mailing address. Then send them a certified letter explaining the situation. The credit people cant do anything about it. Its all about a paper trail to the company calling you. I've had to do it a couple of times and it works perfectly! I have a common name which makes it worse! Good luck!

12-19-2010, 02:20 PM	#9
2ndgenz28 Thread Killer Drives: All Black Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NWO Toledo Area Posts: 4,720	I also do similar with our snailmail now. Why should I accept snailmail spam when I don't accept email spam? Anything that shows up in my mailbox out front who I don't know who its from or its obvious junk, I use a black marker to scribble out any bar codes on it, then glue a return to sender label over my address. [bar code is read by computer, has to be blacked out so they have to open the mail to see who sent it back.] I just print a bunch of these out on crap paper then wood glue them on the mail, so it can't be removed, so they have to open the junk mail. And the post office makes money on the return shipping charges. Help with them budget short falls

12-19-2010, 02:26 PM	#10
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	I had something similar happen back in 2001. Collections services were calling me trying to track down some guy with the same name as my dad but my dad lives 1000 miles away. It wasn't long after that that we stopped home phone service and went 100% to cell phones. Nada since.

12-19-2010, 05:06 PM	#12
Mr_Draco Drives: 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 7,182	oh wow. If you really want to mess with them use this one. http://www.payphone-directory.org/so...bell/using.wav Also, if you want to use these it's recommended that you set your voice mail to pick up the call after 1-2 rings, the sooner the better. The reason is, if there is truly an error (number disconnected, couldn't be completed, etc) their phone won't ring, it will go straight to the error message. If the phone rings 5-6 times before going to voice mail, most people will know something is up.