Prior Owner Of My Phone Number Was A Deadbeat!

[dianeschlicht]

This thread brings to mind what might happen when someone has had a number for many years and then must change it. We had our phone number for 32 years. When we moved into the new house, we had to change it. Had we moved just 1 mile closer to our old house, we could have kept the old number... Anyway, we have paid to have the old number with a forwarding message for 1 year. I have had lots of folks who have kept my card for years before calling me. I thought it might be a good idea to forward it extra long. I feel sorry for the poor person who gets our old number next year! They will constantly be getting dog information calls, and wont know what folks are talking about! Actually, that might be kind of funny!

 

[Minnesota!]

Something kind of similar happens to us. A couple lives near us, and they have the exact same names - Andrea and Kevin *********. And both couples phone listings are the same, with the female name first. So, I get PLENTY of calls directed for that Andrea, and I know she gets plenty for me, because old acquaintences and such have called me saying "Did you know....". To top it off, before we moved to where we are now, we lived on the same street as them - about 10 blocks south. So, I am sure people thinking they could go by the address were stumped as well.

It all started when I worked in a dry cleaners and a guy came in and said his last name was ********* and I said "So is mine". He said his first name was Tom, which is my (deceased) father in laws. He asked what my DH's name was - I said Kevin. Turns out that is his sons name. He asked my name - I said Andrea. He looked like he had seen a ghost!! Told me they owned a bar in my city. I should really go up there and meet them some time so I can see just HOW MANY phone calls/mail I have missed :O)

 

[Poohnatic]

Andrea,

That's pretty funny. Hubby, years ago, went to have tires put on the car. The counter man calls out "Mr.------?" at which point, the other guy in the waiting room gets up, too. Not a common name here in the states (they all stayed in Ireland, lol), Same name, two towns over. I'm sure if we ever had our phone number listed, we'd probably have gotten calls for the other guy, too.

Suzanne

 

[WillCAD]

My answering machine has always said the same thing:
"Hi, this is Will. I'm not able to answer at the moment but if you leave your name and number I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

After I had a particular numebr for 8 years, and was still getting collections calls for a Mr. Bowan, I lost it one day and recorded a new outgoing message:
"Hello. My name is WILL. If you're not calling for someone named WILL, then you have the WRONG NUMBER. I'm the only person who uses this mechine. If you are calling for me, then leave your name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Once again, for those who are IQ challenged, my name is WILL!"

Not five minutes after I recorded that, my best friend called and I let the machine answer. At the beep he began, "Uh, hello, Uh, I'm looking for George..." but he was laughing so hard he couldn't keep the joke going. "Aw, damnit, I can't... just call me back when you get this!"

I left that message on my machine for over a year and STILL got calls for Mr. Bowan. I guess some people are just not right in the head.

 

[doxdogy]

I did the same as you did with creditors from a previous "owner" of our phone number.

I feel your pain. I have recently started getting numerous phone calls on my cellphone for an apparent deadbeat. The funny thing is that I've had this number for over 3 years and the phone calls just started a couple of months ago. The last time I was called, I was at Epcot waiting for the Candlelight Processional to start. I told the individual who called me that the next time I received a phone call from her collection agency, I would prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law (whatever that might be) and that they had better not EVER call me again in regards to this deadbeat individual. Funny thing. I haven't gotten any more phonecalls from them.

From the number of replies to this thread, I guess this must be a very common problem.

 

[Amberle3]

If you want to get rid of those calls, one thing that might work is to invent a company name for yourself. So if your last name is Smith then maybe "Smith & Smith Insurance" (insurance should work well, no one wants to initiate a conversation about insurance!). When you get calls from a number you don't know, answer it with the "business" name.

I use that with telemarketers. Of course I actually have a business in the house. The smart telemarketers say "Oh, is this a business? Sorry" and then they hang up. The stupid ones keep on with their sales pitch. I just respond right back with trying to sell them travel. I know you're selling carpet cleaning, but it's cold out! Wouldn't you like to be somewhere nice and warm? At this time next week I could have you on a beach on Puerto Vallarta, sipping cocktails.... If they persist then I just say listen, I'm sorry but you've called a business and if you're not interested in purchasing anything then get off of my line.

That would work really well with insurance. I can picture it now...

Bill Collector: May I speak to Mr Deadbeat
You: Hi, thanks for calling Smith Insurance. Are you calling about term or whole-life insurance? Do you currently have enough insurance to make sure your family is taken care of after your death? Many people don't have adequate life insurance....

 

[Swimnoid]

There is someone in my town who has my name (first and last) which is not a common one. She used to live just a few miles from me. Recently I started getting calls from a furniture place about her bill. "Yes, this is Jane Schmo but I dont have an account with Acme Furniture." This happened several times then they tried to get me to give them my personal info. Like...what was my birthday? "What are you looking for?" "Well, we cant tell you that because that is their personal account info!" "WELL, I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU MY PERSONAL INFO!" Idiots. Then a credit card company started calling, luckily I didnt also have a card with them. They stopped after 3 days in a row and me getting pretty testy on the last day. I am wondering what will be next.

A funny side note though...I got a phone call from my doctor's office confirming my appointment to have my tattoo removed. Well, I didnt have an appt scheduled and I dont have a tattoo. So I cancelled it. Guess whose it was?