These people call my house several times per day, including weekends.  For many weeks I simply would not answer, since I do not know anyone from Mason, Ohio.  I am pretty sure no one from there has an interest in attending my church or receiving counseling from me, and it is not on my list of places to visit.  Then one day I picked up the phone to see what was going on.  After the obligatory wait for the automatic dialer to transfer connection to a robotic-but-real human being, the person on the other end asked for my daughter.  So, this was what was going on!  Obviously my daughter owes a delinquent bill.  And they think she lives here.  I told the person on the other end of the line that she does not live with me and that I am not responsible for her debts, and to please not call again.  Without acknowledging my request, this person immediately asked for her current number.  Well, I know her current number.  But unlike my daughter, I am not going to give her number out indiscriminately.  So I asked the company he represents?  He was not at liberty to disclose that information. I asked his name?  He would only divulge a first name.  So, I queried, he wants me to disclose pertinent and personal information when he is not willing to do the same?  I reminded that I had not called him, but he had called me.  And I instructed again that I be taken off the calling list.

Next day, and the day after, they called again multiple times.  I dialed the number on the caller ID, at my expense I add, to try once again to get these people to stop their harassment.  After explaining my dilemma, I was asked if I had an account with Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s?&nbs p; Aha, another piece of the puzzle!  No I do not.  Then he asked again for my daughter’s phone number.  The easy thing to do would be to give to them her number.  But by now I do not want to reward such mistreatment of an innocent party- myself!  Again I solicit and a receive a promise not to call again.  It does not matter.  They call.

I envision a big boiler room of cubicles, manned by folk who obviously cannot find a better job, with the mission to call and harass those like myself.  Their job is to call.  They do not care about who they call, what the story may be, or even whether they are calling the right person.  If I explain and am able to provoke a promise not to call again, chances are the next day it will be a different caller with no knowledge of the previous conversation.  

A variety of tactics have been tried: 
*I am already signed up for the No Call List.  Obviously, it does not impede these people.  

*There is the obligatory explanation that what they are doing qualifies as harassment, and that I will report them to the FCC and seek grievance under the Fair Debt Collection Code.  They only laugh.  So I resort to guerrilla tactics.

*Checking the caller ID and hanging up on the call is the simplest.  But it facilitates their job, and doesn't impede the next call.

*Here was a favorite, for a while:  My polite response: "Let me go get her.  Please hold on for a minute."  Then I set the phone down for five minutes, go back and ask them to hold on for just a little while longer, and continue to repeat the procedure.  I have found that I can bait them for about fifteen minutes of wasted time.  The problem- it is also wasting my time.

*Right now I have a police whistle next to the phone.  When the person calls, I respond with a low voice.  Then, when I feel he is listening carefully for the next word, I blow it loudly.  

*Later today I will purchase a compressed air bullhorn.

As of this morning, the calls continue, although hopefully some of the harassers are having to utilize the other ear.  

Your suggestions are appreciated.

---

posted by: Ladyg (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (9:05 am)

I know what you are going through PD, I get calls for my daughter to, you are on the right track. With caller idea i recognize the number and don't answer and if i push the off button without answering it will stop the ringing.

---

posted by: tampi (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (9:12 am)

nowadays i put my cell on the vibrate mode,unless i know the number i do not pick it up

---

posted by: thoolou (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (9:45 am)

It's been several years ago now, but I used to program "robodialers." I know, I'm not proud of it. :)

The best solution to foil these devices is to inject S.I.T. tones into your answer stream. The bes ones to use are the ones you hear when you get a "disconnected, or no longer in service" message when you dial a number.

There's a couple of ways to do this: Most cheaply, do a google search for SIT tones, and download the wave file to your computer. Record the tone before the greeting on your answering machine. A little inconvenient, but it works. If you have the budget, consider buying a device called a "Telezapper." You can get them standalone, or built into many answering machines. I've had an integrated one in my AM for several years, and it works very well, that is if the predictive dialer programmer knows how to error trap correctly... ;)

---

posted by: barnabus1 (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (12:06 pm)

Love Caller ID...know when not to answer the phone...don't have problems, just pests who call too often..I only talk to them once a week...and get enough of, "Yep....uhhhh...wellll....yep" to last all week!!

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (12:16 pm)

Reply to: thoolou
Now this may be a workable solution. And, provided by an "insider". So, you actually facilitated these guys in their crimes against humanity? You should have a phone receiver sewn to your ear, and forced to listen to their spiehl for a year or so! Well, with your suggestion, I guess you have done penance.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (12:17 pm)

Reply to: barnabus1
Many of these guys are able to bypass caller i.d., or disguise their identity.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (12:20 pm)

Reply to: tampi
No way do I give any business or financial institution, etc., my cell phone number. It is strictly for personal use. Home phone? I keep it mostly for the DSL, and phone solicitors/collectors are an unfortunate byproduct.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (12:21 pm)

Reply to: Ladyg
I suspect millions of us are regularly pestered by such people. Maybe the Obama administration can do something to help us?

---

posted by: barnabus1 (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (12:56 pm)

Reply to: PastorDave
Will still say Caller unknown...and I don't accept them either!! there's a number you can use that will tell callers that you don't accept blocked calls...part of yer phone company!

---

posted by: bawdy (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (1:13 pm)

I was going to suggest the air horn, but you beat me to it. But then again, this caller is only trying to do his job as instructed, at minimum wage, no doubt.

---

posted by: fractalmom (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (1:54 pm)

well. having a daughter who is often responsible for debt collection calls, i have found the most direct and duplicitous method is the following:

hello:

(insert daughters name)? no, i'm sorry, you have the wrong number, there is no one here by that name.

do i know someone by that name? no. Sorry.

excuse me? No, again, I do not know her. Sorry? No, I am neither related to her, nor do I know her, can't help you there. I have only had this number a few weeks, perhaps she had this number before me. maybe you can check new listings for her new number.

They will keep calling you as long as you keep admitting a relation. It is the only option they have.

If you disavow any blood or legal relation, they have to not call anymore.

This is so wrong LOL. Me telling a man of God to lie to a debt collector. Only me.

---

posted by: OldSchool (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (2:45 pm)

I was laughing out loud at asking them to hold and just setting the phone down for a while. That is classic.

I like in a Seinfeld episode when Jerry gets a telemarketer call him and he asks "I am busy right now, but give me YOUR home phone number and I will call you back later." pause as he listens to caller's response, then says "Oh, so you don't want people calling you at your home?"

The only thing worse than a telemarketer type caller is when someone tries sending a fax to your phone number. And the fax machine keeps trying to redial until it gets through and you get those high-pitched whistles and beeps each time.

It sounds like these jokers are either going to stop calling you PD or else they are all going to go deaf!

---

posted by: Steve Beaty (reply)
post date: 05.11.09 (4:21 pm)

Hey Dave,
You have me cracking up at what you have done. Just an FYI some of these hi tech bill collectors have systems in place that dial your number and can sense when you answer at that point the agent gets what is called a pop on there computer screen with all the info associated with the debt in question. So not answering is just means your number will be put back into a que. Of course answering and not giving them what they want will also do the same. I don't know about these people make but I have a customer that has this set up and their agents get a commission and it is much more that minimum wage. Anyway I guess to make a long story short use the bull horn
good luck

---

posted by: Bonegnawer (reply)
post date: 05.12.09 (2:22 am)

Like bawdy i don't belive that the people in this call center would say that love to work there. It is probably just somthing what pays the bills. I hope my sarcasm detector was broken as i read the bullhorn part, as i do not belive either that hurting the drone on the other side of the connection will incrase anybodys happiness. Nor would it add much to your karma. It would just an angry sting which may dissipate its energy along an domino chain of hapless people.
As constructive suggestion, you should mayby try to talk friendly(?) to the people - ask about health, spin a tale about last holiday, throw a joke etc..
Just see how long you can hold them online without the "hold_on" part. ;)

---

posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 05.12.09 (5:15 am)

By now isn't there a way to block calls from certain numbers? Seems like I've heard of that coming down the pike for years. Wonder if it's here and I simply haven't heard the details. I know I can do it on my cell.

---

posted by: rosietulips (reply)
post date: 05.12.09 (8:21 am)

How annoying it must be to receive these calls! Somehow some debt collector got a hold of my phone number asking for my dad. He had some parking ticket to pay or something. I told the truth though -- that he did not live here, but I probably told them I knew no such person. I tend to ignore calls from numbers I do not recognize!

---

posted by: Lavarock (reply)
post date: 05.12.09 (9:15 am)

I posted a long note only to be told that my posting contained disallowed content. It was probably the URLs I put in. Go to ClarkHoward dot Com and search for the following:

Jan 22 2004 collectors

The article will be called "what to do when contacted by collectors"

You would send them a drop dead letter, even though the debt is not yours. They cannot contact you again, whether the debt is yours or not. You would send it rather than tell them on the phone.

---

posted by: intricategirl (reply)
post date: 05.12.09 (7:08 pm)

This is a simple one. First, you ask them the name of their company. Since I see you've already tried this and they refused, you tell them that they have violated the FDCPA by continuing to call after they were informed it is not your debt, by speaking to a parent about a debt that does not belong to a minor, and by harassing you. Tell them that failing to provide their name is also illegal since you are legally within your rights to send them a letter requiring them to cease and desist, and cannot do so without a company name. Then, you tell them that you have kept a log of every time they have called, can prove harassment, and that it's a $1000 fine, which you are sure is per incident. Tell them that you informed them X number of calls ago, and you are now filing a complaint with the FTC.

That should stop the calls at least.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:26 am)

Reply to: intricategirl
Yes, that sounds like a very good plan of resolution. Lots of good advice here. I think I will copy your response and have it on hand.

One problem, I think, is that these are in-house collectors who do not have to go by the same rules. Again I know only what I hear fro Clark Howard, but apparently this nature of collectors can legally be quite a bit more reckless in their approach.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:29 am)

Reply to: Lavarock
Clark Howard! He's the best thing to come from Atlanta. Well, except for maybe Lava Rock.

To send the "drop dead letter" I will have to secure an address. I am going to look up the number online, and see if it is accompanied with an address. Some of the complaint sites may also be able to give me the info.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:31 am)

Reply to: rosietulips
They are calling you for a debt your dad owes? Now, that is definitely a low-life tactic, as if you are responsible for your parent's debts. A good answering machine, and a good caller ID, seem essential in these matter.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:35 am)

Reply to: surrogate
My phone indeed comes with lots and lots of features. The problem is that I know so very little about how to use those features. They sent me a manual one time, filled with tiny mice-type. It's gone. I'm sure somewhere in that manual are directions for blocking a caller. But I'm pretty sure these collectors use multiple phone lines. Still, it's a worthy effort.

Gosh, I'll have to learn something new. It doesn't come naturally anymore!

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:39 am)

Reply to: Bonegnawer
No bullhorn! Only an angry thought, and at least this time the better angel won that battle.

Chitchat with a phone collector? I haven't tried that one!

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:49 am)

Reply to: Steve Beaty
Oh, I guess good money can be made by a telephone bill collector. And people should pay their bills. And I do pay my bills, so they should leave me alone!

I know a lady who works at a call center for those with enxtended debt with the power company. They will call her just days before their lights are to be turned off. She will be hard-nosed, and then talk with disdain about these people. And, this lady is in debt bigtime! She doesn't know how to budget her money, and is basically behind on every account imaginable. Likely, it's the same with these folk harassing me.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:52 am)

Reply to: OldSchool
I saw that Seinfeld episode last week! When I am trolling for something to watch on tv, inevitably I can find a Seinfeld somewhere. It's funny stuff. I identify best with George Castanza.

They've stopped calling! I've won the battle, but not the war. Not yet.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:54 am)

Reply to: bawdy
The air horn continues to be a tempting retort. But, I do have to live with my conscience. I'd hate to know I had deafened some poor sap. Well, at least a tiny little bit. I would. Honestly. What, you don't believe me?

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.13.09 (6:58 am)

Reply to: fractalmom
It's the only way, huh? And do you share this naughty little habit at convessional?

I know. When irritated sufficiently, I'm willing to cut the corners with the truth if it serves a higher purpose. Let's just call it situation ethics.

---

posted by: intricategirl (reply)
post date: 05.14.09 (5:08 pm)

Reply to: PastorDave

I strongly doubt that they can be more reckless in their approach. After all, if that were true, every business would setup an in-house collections department! Besides, when I checked your state's collection's laws from the official government website, it referred all questions directly to the federal laws.

They are breaking the law, and they know it. Don't let them. Besides, if you use the acronym FDCPA and telling them about the exact fines that can be levied, they know they're dealing with a very well-informed consumer, and they're not going to want the chance that you *might* fight them in court, because it won't be worth it to them.

---

posted by: Vic M (reply)
post date: 05.25.09 (3:33 pm)

After three days of calls I finally picked up the phone and spoke to a real person. They were trying to reach me about an overdue Macy's missed revolving credit payment that I had not received a bill for. I did not give them any information but called customer service and they were legit.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 05.25.09 (3:46 pm)

Reply to: Vic M
I think they are a real-life collection bunch. What's not legit, in my opinion, is to constantly harass others who have no legal responsibility for the debts, while refusing to reveal the purpose of the irritating calls. People for sure should pay their debts. But it is not my responsibility to pay what they owe, or get them to pay what they owe in order to get some phone collector to stop harassing me.

---

posted by: j (reply)
post date: 07.14.09 (8:48 pm)

any time that you are getting calls from collection agencies and you dont want them to call any more send them a cease and desist letter.... then after they get the letter they can call you one more time.. if they call you anymore then that just let them know they are breaking the FDCPA (FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICE ACT) and that you will take it to legal action if they continue to call

---

posted by: Barb (reply)
post date: 07.15.09 (10:48 am)

I have received such calls all the time. The worse is that the person they are looking for really does not live in my household and I do not know this person at all. The only similarity is his name sounds something like "cook" and my husband's "kok", and we are Asia.

I took time to explain to the caller and he called me a liar, then insisted that it can not be a co-incident that the names sounds similar and both Asian families. I gave up explaining. They still call and I just don't pick up.

---

posted by: Suzy C (reply)
post date: 09.16.09 (11:54 am)

Hi Pastor Dave,
I am currently receiving calls on my cell phone from this number up to 10 times a day. I do not answer their calls and I have no outstanding bills. I was wondering if they are still calling you and if not, how you got them to stop. It's driving me crazy!

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 09.16.09 (12:35 pm)

Reply to: Suzy C
Hey Suzy. Indeed they did stop. I did not handle the matter in the most dignified and refined manner. But it worked. I called the number on my caller I.D., and in the conversation I refused to dicker with the person and answer his questions. I told him in very clear and adamant terms that I am not the person being sought and it is not my responsibility to give them any information and to stop calling. I would not leave end the call until I received a promise, and I took down the person's name. The calls continued until the end of the week, and then they ceased. I understand these are just workers in a call center who really don't care. But the supervisor apparently had some semblance of decency, and took care of matters. Good luck!

---

posted by: Common Sense (reply)
post date: 10.17.09 (7:45 am)

The best way to have these people stop calling you would be to have your daughter pay her bill.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 10.17.09 (7:50 am)

Reply to: Common Sense
That's a fair statement.

My daughter does several things that are a disappointment to me. She is an adult and does not live in my house, and has not for over three years. And I think such is sufficient reason for these billing companies to no longer call me once I divulge this information. For them to continue is harassment, and likely illegal.

Your Name:


Your Comment: