Are they legally allowed to continue calling me, how do I make it stop?

[presleyr]

I am located in Arkansas, the company in question is based in Mississippi.
I'm not sure that I've even placed this in the correct area.

Starting three weeks ago I began receiving phone calls from a number I didn't know, they WOULD leave a voice mail
with the persons name who was calling, but no further information. I never answered nor called back because there are so many scams now days,
they then began calling at least 3 days a week several times a day, still giving no information about the company or why they were calling.
Monday I finally called them back after the 3rd call that day while I was trying to work ( I leave my personal phone on loud because I have a daughter in daycare
and that is how they contact me) so after I've had to silence my phone several times back to back while meeting with clients I called back.
A woman answered, but didn't give them company name or any info just started requesting my phone number and other info. I told her I was returning SEVERAL phone calls and told her
I wouldn't answer any questions until she told me who she worked for. She told me the company name (it's a legit lending company about 40 minutes from where I live.
I asked her why they were continuously calling me and being so vague in the messages, that I had no accounts with them nor was I interested in sign up for one. She informed me that someone had listed me as reference on an account and they were now going on 4 weeks late. It took me 10 minutes just to get her to give me the name of the person whom supposedly used me as reference and were causing them to call me daily like I owed them money. I also kept asking her if it was standard practice for them to make that many calls to someone who was JUST a reference and had never dealt with the company before. She got very mad that I was asking questions about everything, turns out it was a sister whom I've sadly not spoken with in years due to personal reasons used me a reference to get furniture. I told them I HAVE ZERO contact with this person and that I was sorry I couldn't help them, I told them I was sorry she used me, but that had they called when the account was opened I would have told them not to use me. I asked them very nicely to stop contacting me regarding this issue as I couldn't help them and that I wasn't going to make the payment. I also told them that the back to back phone calls were effecting my work as they were calling during my work hours.
Well I've again received SIX more calls between then and today from the same company wanting me to make my sister pay her bill, WHICH IS CRAZY even if I was in contact with her how am I going to force a grown woman to pay her bills?! I've had to leave my phone on silent because when I blocked one number they call from another, and my boss has even made comments about it. I told them that I would speak with a lawyer after filing a report over harassment, the lady then very smugly informed me they were allowed to call me as much as they wanted because I was listed on the application. I don't want to change my number I just want to the calls to stop! Are they seriously allowed to keep doing this? I've even tried reaching out to this sister with no luck

 

[quincy]

Tell the company if they continue to call you after you have told them to stop, you will report them to your State and you will take legal action against them.

 

[xylene]

You can program your* a phone to only ring for your daughter's day care number.

You are being somewhat histrionic about what is a small amount of calls.

You need to send a written cease and desist letter to the company.

You aren't going get a criminal case.

I think your boss is being a bit of a jerk, but he's right that you don't need to take or return personal calls at work.

*I can't speak to your exact phone. But this is a very common feature, even on basic flip phones.

 

[quincy]

https://www.donotcall.gov

 

[FlyingRon]

Alas the credit collections laws protect the deadbeat and not the innocent bystanders. You've innocently found out what scum debt collectors are. You've got little choice but to ignore it, change the number, or block.

DoNotCall.GOV is useless in this situation.

 

[quincy]

When a company/collector is calling you three days a week and several times a day, the DoNotCall site allows you to report the unwanted caller.

Blocking phone number(s) can work (although the caller can simply change their number) and ignoring the calls can work (but that does not stop the calls).

Changing your own number is a hassle but could be the best solution - as long as you don't give out your new number freely.

I keep my phones on "vibrate" rather than "ring" which makes unwanted or inconvenient calls less intrusive.

 

[Pinkie39]

Report the company to the CFPB - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

I disagree that with the comment someone else made, that laws protect debtors over creditors. The U.S. has very weak consumer protection laws, and the CFPB is being weakened further under the current presidential administration.

But back to the OP's issue...

I would also consider getting a smart watch or even a newer model Fitbit. A device like that can be synced to your phone, and set to alert you to calls and texts. That way you can keep your phone on silent at work, but not miss a call from the daycare.

 

[FlyingRon]

When a company/collector is calling you three days a week and several times a day, the DoNotCall site allows you to report the unwanted caller.

Which does nothing. The DNC list regulation doesn't apply to this situation so even if the FTC were inclined to act, they couldn't.

disagree that with the comment someone else made, that laws protect debtors over creditors. T

That's not what I said. I said the law protects the debtor over people who are NOT the debtor (and not the creditor either).

 

[Shadowbunny]

OP, if you have a smart phone there are many, many free apps that will block unwanted calls. I use "Should I Answer," I'm sure you can find one to meet your needs.