I was getting the same #'s calling me many times during the day, they never left voice message, finally I was home when the call came through, answered it and it was an very rude lady asking for me, when I ask who was calling she just kept on asking to speak to me. I finally said speaking and she then tells me she is calling on behalf of HBC/Home Outfitters (collection agency) She wanted to confirm my address (I had just moved within the last 12 months) I apparently had an outstanding balance, they wanted to forward the bill...it has been 3 wks now I have not received the bill yet. I would be very careful as to what info you give these RUDE people. I am little suspious about it all, and regret giving any info at all. I subscripe to bell call screening and tried to enter the 2 numbers that were calling 416-350-0978 and 416-955-1243 (to block the calls) and a message says that these numbers are not available with this service. Just another great Bell service - totally useless. Now I have to call Bell and complain to them about the service that is suppose to Block calls is a selective # service???
Ok, I too received numerous calls from 416-955-1234 only to get dead air on the other end, and after 10 seconds, a very loud fast busy signal. When you try and call the number back, it says "You just dialed a number that isn't in use". Well, my persistence paid off, I finally got someone on the other end asking me if they can count on my support for Garth Turner.
I then sent Garth Turner and email requesting who this company was, because they are indeed violating the CRTC rules outlined that the call display number has to be a working one. (This is just one of the rules they violated, the auto dialer is another violation.)
Well, after the 2nd email, Mr Turner did get back to me and he said he thinks the company name that was working on his behalf was "First Contact" I searched the internet, and here is their website... http://www.callfirstcontact.com/
I say, call them back, give them a blast, and make a formal complaint to the crtc about the call display and auto dialer. I know political calls are exempt from the "Do not call list", but they still have to follow the telemarketing rules outlined on the governments page.
Have fun with this info, I know I am.
Cheers.
All of these calls are basically going through cheap "call contact" company that uses internet lines and local gateways to contact people. Basically, they are calling you to see if (a) you answer, (b) you have a fax machine, or (c) if the number is in service. If you answer and they have someone available, you get shuffled off to that person. If your fax machine answers you, you will get fax spam sometime in the future.
Various companies are using this service, so you will be the same MO from a number of different sources. Safe to say that they are all violating CRTC rules by faking the callerID, so don't be shy to report them to the CRTC if you are able to identify the calling company at any time.