PRANK CALLING MY BUSINESS PHONE OVER AND OVER TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO BLOCK THE NUMBER THEN THEY CALLED WITH A PRIVATE NUMBER SO I HAD NO OPTION BUT TO BLOCK ALL MY PRIVATE NUMBERS WHICH MEANS MY PATIENTS WHO HAVE PRIVATE NUMBERS CAN'T CALL ME ANYMORE
Upon answering, I listened to the recorded message completely and recognized it to be one I had requested stop calling previously. The message claims (as it has on previous calls) to be the "final opportunity" to restructure credit card debt. Options to press "1" to speak to a representative or "3" to be removed... since I have found that pressing the automated removal # has on previous occasions not been effective, I pressed "1" to speak to a representative so that I could personally request to be removed from the list (again). The line rang several times and was ultimately answered by another recording stating "mailbox is full, please call at another time." I was unable to reach a live person at all. I recognize this message... these people use several pseudo-numbers to phone.
The city/state and the number change, sometimes the recorded message is slightly different; however, in my experience these calls do lead back to the same call center even if listed in areas across the country... I know this because one day I got the same representative answering from a different caller ID/area code, and when I told him I recognized him from yesterday he remembered speaking to me! We keep requesting to be removed from the list, via the automated menu after the recording, by calling back the number and leaving a message if possible, or by speaking directly to the representative after pressing "1". Nothing works. I consistently file reports with the DNC complaint center.
We have been harrassed by telemarketers for months now, ever since we moved into this area code and unfortunately received this number. We have an unlisted number and are on the Do No Call list, and I repeatedly request to be removed from the list, and I also repeatedly file complaints with the FCC/DNC complaint center. We do not give out our number except to very trusted parties. Since the problem isn't going away, I have found some other solutions. I have discovered the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA). People, it pays to be diligent, keep logs of all the calls and your requests to be removed. Then initiate a phone trace and find out who has actually been calling... in my experience calls from various area codes lead to the same call center because the dialers use pseudo-numbers. Once you know who has been harrassing, you can sue (within the four-year statute of limitations) and they are liable for damages of $500-$1500 PER PHONE CALL. This applies to debt collectors also. Hit them in the wallet, that is apparently the only way to win this battle. Call your phone service provider to find out how to initiate call trace. Here is more info on the TCPA:
PRANK CALLING MY BUSINESS PHONE OVER AND OVER TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO BLOCK THE NUMBER THEN THEY CALLED WITH A PRIVATE NUMBER SO I HAD NO OPTION BUT TO BLOCK ALL MY PRIVATE NUMBERS WHICH MEANS MY PATIENTS WHO HAVE PRIVATE NUMBERS CAN'T CALL ME ANYMORE
The caller is offering lower interest rates on supposedly my existing credit card account. It is a phishing scam trying to get my credit card information. They state no company name.