OK - Some asshole is giving out my phone number

[RPM]

I keep getting calls for Robert Mustaccio (sp) - they seem like collection agencies, etc. I just got done cursing one out after he wouldnt disclose for whome he worked (after I said i wasnt robert)....

What should I do?

Play like I am Robert and find out who these people are?

Curse them out?

I am just annoyed with these calls and a little worried about whether this asshole might be using other information of mine....

Advice?

[tigereye]

1. that happened with my cell phone a number of times

I just called them and told them that that person no longer had the number - and that was pretty much the end of it.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. If it is a collection agency, you can use this strategy.

First, tell them that you are aware of your rights under the Fair Debt Collection act and that you have a copy of the FTC's consumer guidelines in front of you. (print it and place it near your phone.) Quote from it.

For example:

May a debt collector contact anyone else about your debt?

If you have an attorney, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you do not have an attorney, a collector may contact other people, but only to find out where you live, what your phone number is, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting such third parties more than once. In most cases, the collector may not tell anyone other than you and your attorney that you owe money.


What types of debt collection practices are prohibited?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact.
Example:;
* or repeatedly use the telephone to annoy someone.

more at this FTC consumer page
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm


I have used this technique to get rid of collection agencies after repeated notifications that my phone number was not associated with the name mentioned.

[flamingyouth]

3. That happened to my parents

They ended up having to change their number, unfortunately. It got really out of control. I feel for you. :(

On edit, in retrospect, I think the person they were calling for had a name similar to my mom's and that's why they couldn't get rid of them.

[Mike03]

4. Not a lawyer, but

I think that creditors are disallowed from contacting third parties or calling your place of work (or calling you AT your place of work) to ascertain information about you. There are some good websites on credit collection laws. I had a different problem, where I was being harassed because the individual who used to have my phone number was in arrears with various companies. It can become a living hell when the phone starts ringing, but there are laws and techniques you can use to alleviate the irritation and maybe even cause them to cease and decist.

Good luck.

[FILAM23]

5. I had a very similar problem

First I got their name and organization/company
then I told them I didn't know where the person they
were looking for was, I had no phone number or address for
him and that if they ever called again I would report them
to every federal and state agency that I could think of. No calls since

[RPM]

6. i like that idea

i think i'll use that as a script.

thx!