Libertine: On the Prowl

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Mysterious Annoying Calls

11:04, 2009-Apr-15 .. Posted in rants .. 2 comments .. Link

I got a new cell phone number about a month ago, a number which the company informed me was a recycled number. That is, they were re-using the number of a previous customer.

Since getting this number I’ve not given it out to anyone but my son and my employer.

About a week ago, I started getting phone calls from an 866 number and they’ve called me every single day since, except for on Sunday. Because I don’t have an unlimited minutes plan, I normally do not answer numbers that I do not recognize and this number was no exception.

I ended up answering it twice, as I was expecting calls at both times, and had forgotten to look to see who was calling before answering. Each time, no one replied to me after I said “hello”. All I could hear was canned elevator music on the other end, but no voice.

Because I didn’t want minutes eaten up by listening to unsolicited Muzak, I hung up when no person responded to my “hello”. I wasn’t about to sit there for five minutes going, “Hello! Hello! Hello!”.

I’ve ceased answering when they call, but the calls do not stop. Nor do they ever leave any sort of a message.

I’d just ignore this crap and forget about it, but their first call comes early in the morning before I’m ready to get up. It’s really gotten old and I want it to stop.

I went to a reverse lookup online and found that it belongs to a collection agency. I can’t think of anyone I’m behind in with my bills, nor have I gotten anything in the mail to indicate such a problem.

It also seems very strange to me that on the two times I did answer that no one would speak and I’m wondering what the fuck the deal is? In my experience a legitimate debt collector is going to speak when you answer the phone.

I’m guessing that if there is some legitimate reason behind the calls, which I seriously doubt, that these calls “belong” to the previous user of my phone number. I’ll have to see if the cell phone company will block this number for me.

Have any of you had anything simlar to this happen to you?
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Untitled Comment

06:42, 2009-Apr-16 .. Posted by windy
Nope, but I can see where it would be very annoying.

Untitled Comment

05:34, 2009-Apr-16 .. Posted by texican
I recently started getting calls where no one would leave a message or would be on the line when I answered. I tried calling back and got a recording that they "were trying to contact me about my recent order." Since I haven't placed an order for anything, I can only assume that it is either some new form of spam or meant for the previous owner of the number.

Since I started working for a cell provider, I learned that these recycled numbers go on hold for 30 days before they are reused. I'm guessing that collection agencies don't log when the number they are trying to reach is no longer in service or update their contact lists.

As far as blocking a specific number, unless your phone has a blocking feature, your provider may not be able to block it. I know we can't.