Collection Agency Refuses to Remove Number

[lnscott]

What is the name of your state? Indiana

A few weeks ago I got a call from a collection agency looking for my ex-husband's great grandma. How they got my number, I have NO idea! I got this number after my divorce. The only thing I can think of is that I rented their house from them after they moved .

I called them back and told them the situation and that I would pass on the information. They said ok and told me that they would take my number off their records since I was no relation.

Well, they call me again today. I called them back again to get my number removed. At first he said that, "If you ask me to remove, I guess I have to." I told him - I wasn't asking - I was DEMANDING! Then he told me that he couldn't because it was a legal document and she would have to call and have it deleted. He said that would be like him calling and having people remove my number from thier files. The whole thing led to a shouting mouth and I eventually hung up on them. I even gave him her number and he told he had already called and left a message there.

My question is: How do I get my number removed from their file? By his example, that means anyone can pick a number out of the phone book and they can't remove it w/o permission from the person who added it.

[panther10758]

Do you have caller ID? If so just dont answer the calls! If not how much of your time is being used for these calls (when you dont argue) my guess its less than a minute. Is this 30 second call once a month or so really worth this headache!?

[lnscott]

Originally Posted by panther10758

Do you have caller ID? If so just dont answer the calls! If not how much of your time is being used for these calls (when you dont argue) my guess its less than a minute. Is this 30 second call once a month or so really worth this headache!?

I see what you're saying and I realize how "silly" this is. But the whole point is - I know they have no right to keep calling me (and this is the 2nd call this month) - I just want to know how to prove it and get my number removed.

[panther10758]

I have gotten calls for a "Norma" for over five years. Use to be every month not it sa few times a year. I told them over and over no Norma lives here and if they could remove my number. No fights or yelling. Calls kept coming. It last less than a minute and calls cause me nor my family and harm or trouble so we deal with it.

Caller: Is Norma @#$%& there?

Me: No I am sorry no Norma lives here.

Caller: Ok sorry to trouble you

Me: No trouble have a nice day bye bye

Caller: bye

[lnscott]

Originally Posted by panther10758

I have gotten calls for a "Norma" for over five years. Use to be every month not it sa few times a year. I told them over and over no Norma lives here and if they could remove my number. No fights or yelling. Calls kept coming. It last less than a minute and calls cause me nor my family and harm or trouble so we deal with it.

Caller: Is Norma @#$%& there?

Me: No I am sorry no Norma lives here.

Caller: Ok sorry to trouble you

Me: No trouble have a nice day bye bye

Caller: bye

As I said, I really do see what you're saying. But it's the principle of the matter. They lied to me - they were rude with me - so, now I feel like I have a point to prove. Besides, they now know that I know the person they're calling for - so it's not as easy as your situation.

Would it be easy to ignore them - yes. But, by not standing up to them and it just gives them permission to continue to do this to others.

[panther10758]

Which they will do regardless of any actions on your part. How much of your life are you willing to spend for a 30 second phone? the the time you invest in this and the time it lives "rent free" in your head with the result if any? So how much of your life are you willing to give this collection service to prove a point!?

[lnscott]

Originally Posted by panther10758

Which they will do regardless of any actions on your part. How much of your life are you willing to spend for a 30 second phone? the the time you invest in this and the time it lives "rent free" in your head with the result if any? So how much of your life are you willing to give this collection service to prove a point!?

Thank you for your advice and input.

[debtcollector`]

Originally Posted by lnscott

As I said, I really do see what you're saying. But it's the principle of the matter. They lied to me - they were rude with me - so, now I feel like I have a point to prove. Besides, they now know that I know the person they're calling for - so it's not as easy as your situation.

Would it be easy to ignore them - yes. But, by not standing up to them and it just gives them permission to continue to do this to others.

You don't have a point to prove. They have every right to call. As a manager at an agency -- I wouldn't mark your number do not call until one of my collectors speaks with the person we are looking for.

See you are the closest contact they have to the debtor. That means they have to get complete and accurate information from you before they have to stop calling. For it to be complete and accurate -- your family member needs to answer the phone.

********* Ah Stop. I know what you are about to say. ********
"I told them to stop calling here." Ain't going to happen. The more worked up you get, the surer the collector is that debtor is sitting right behind you on the couch. And if you are rude to the collector, your number can be marked as the correct number for the debtor. The calls will never stop then.

The problem you face is that some data broker has the information screwed up. A collector may will delete your number and kicks the file over to skip tracing who finds a number right off the bat and kicks the file back into the collection pool.

My advice requires you stow the self-righteous indignation and be polite.
Here is what you do when they call: Explain that the person they are asking for is your ex-husbands grandmother. If you have her contact info -- give it to them. If not give them your ex-husband's info. Hell, if I could sic a bunch of collectors on my ex-wife (legally -- I could illegally) I would in a heart beat. Then tell the collector that you have been receiving a lot of calls and it is really starting to bother you -- you thought you were done with those people. Can they mark your number do not call?

If you are polite and civil, I'd say that will work 75% percent of the time.

DC

PS: I can promise you that "standing up to them" in the manner you were describing is in many cases going to cause you nothing but problems. I have seen numbers entered for the computer to redial every 9.5 minutes. The op manager considered collections a wear down process. So we called the same people who said the same thing, "Dave's not here," all day from 8 am to 9 pm. (* Yes for the more astute readers I consider the a violation, but it does happen *)

[StephenH]

1) Change your number. Do no forwarding, make it UNLISTED

2) You could connect a fax machine or modem to your line, and turn on auto answer when you see their number on caller ID. This would cause them to get a modem tone instead of a real person.

[FlyingRon]

Nothing you can say to the bottom of the food chain lowlife scum that calls can get you off the list. I've been there, done that. Some deadbeat listed what is now my cell phone number as his work number. I've been called at all hours. I really got to realize what insconsiderate blood sucking parasites the debt collectors are. They will lie, misrepresent, abuse and do anything to try and make whatever quota their perfromance is judged by.

It took complaints to president's office (found laborisously) and filing complaints with the local police department in Kennesaw Georgia to get NCA to stop the abuse.

[lnscott]

Originally Posted by debtcollector`

You don't have a point to prove. They have every right to call. As a manager at an agency -- I wouldn't mark your number do not call until one of my collectors speaks with the person we are looking for.

See you are the closest contact they have to the debtor. That means they have to get complete and accurate information from you before they have to stop calling. For it to be complete and accurate -- your family member needs to answer the phone.

********* Ah Stop. I know what you are about to say. ********
"I told them to stop calling here." Ain't going to happen. The more worked up you get, the surer the collector is that debtor is sitting right behind you on the couch. And if you are rude to the collector, your number can be marked as the correct number for the debtor. The calls will never stop then.

The problem you face is that some data broker has the information screwed up. A collector may will delete your number and kicks the file over to skip tracing who finds a number right off the bat and kicks the file back into the collection pool.

My advice requires you stow the self-righteous indignation and be polite.
Here is what you do when they call: Explain that the person they are asking for is your ex-husbands grandmother. If you have her contact info -- give it to them. If not give them your ex-husband's info. Hell, if I could sic a bunch of collectors on my ex-wife (legally -- I could illegally) I would in a heart beat. Then tell the collector that you have been receiving a lot of calls and it is really starting to bother you -- you thought you were done with those people. Can they mark your number do not call?

If you are polite and civil, I'd say that will work 75% percent of the time.

DC

PS: I can promise you that "standing up to them" in the manner you were describing is in many cases going to cause you nothing but problems. I have seen numbers entered for the computer to redial every 9.5 minutes. The op manager considered collections a wear down process. So we called the same people who said the same thing, "Dave's not here," all day from 8 am to 9 pm. (* Yes for the more astute readers I consider the a violation, but it does happen *)

I'm not sure what not putting me on their do not call list is going to prove. I can't make her call. I did give them the contact information that I have for her - they already have it. Think about this too - if she really did live her with me, would I have called them back??? That's what happened - both times - I called them to let them know that she didn't live here. The first time, it was out of respect for his job - while it's not fun, I realize he has a job to do. Of course, the second time was to tell them to remove my number - I passed on the information and gave them the contact info I had. There's nothing more I can do. I was nice to begin with and he voluntarily said he was removing my number. My upset stemmed from the fact that this man lied to me - which continued all the way through the second conversation. Had I realized he was pushing my buttons - to prove she lived there (by me getting upset) - I would've tried a little harder to stay calm.

I do appreciate getting your side of things (from someone on that sides point of view). I appreciate your advice and will remember it the next time. I can honestly say, I don't have much experience dealing with debt collectors. The only other time I got a wrong number they compared the last four digits of social security numbers and that was the end of it. Other than that, I pay my bills and make arrangements with those (i.e. medical bills) that I can't. All I have is the knowledge of what I've seen - which obviously means getting upset.

I do have the address of the company and I will send them a letter - asking them to remove my number from their list again and offer what information I have (which I've given them) and also offer what proof they need to prove that I'm not lying about her living here. Will this get them off my backs?

[debtcollector`]

Unfortunately, you can't prove she isn't living there -- it isn't possible to prove a negative.

But yes, a letter with what information you have demanding they cease calling your number as you are a third party who is not involved with this matter, should help.

But you need to remember that your and her are crossed in the databases. It will come back up in the future.

Good Luck

DC

[lnscott]

Originally Posted by debtcollector`

Unfortunately, you can't prove she isn't living there -- it isn't possible to prove a negative.

But yes, a letter with what information you have demanding they cease calling your number as you are a third party who is not involved with this matter, should help.

But you need to remember that your and her are crossed in the databases. It will come back up in the future.

Good Luck

DC

Thank you - I will send them a letter Monday.

[kjbailey90]

I can tell you a thing or two about Midland, one way is to get the law involved an I guarantee your number will be removed. I had a similar incident, however I did not know the party and the other party never lived at my residence. I went through the same thing and they continually called. Somehow they even got hold of my cell # and started calling it. That started costing me $$$$$ and I will not stand for that. I got the law involved and to make the story short, they removed my name after a court judgement in my fovor for that hit their wallet.