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Please let me know if you think this is weird... Today I got a phone call from a Collections agency, the only thing is they didn't ask to speak to me, they asked to speak to the name of my neighbor that lives downstairs. Immediately a red flag came up, I called back the number and the company assured me that they were not in the process of cold calling, and that any informations could only have been obtained if given to them. My number is also an UNLISTED number and has been since I had a phone installed. The neighbors have lived there for 5 years and we have only lived here for < 1, so there is no way for lines crossing or having similar digits. Had the call asked for a random person I would have no reason for alarm, but I thought this was a little close for comfort (they asked for her exact name).. I have to add in that I don't really trust the neighbors that live downstairs nor the landlord.. Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid,, but I still think it is pretty strange.. Suggestions, thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!
Your number got listed somewhere in association with your address. They are cold calling (notorius liars) and probably called all the neighbors around the target person to mine any info they could get. They probably called all the neighbor's relatives or persons with similar names too. If the collection agency calls again, do not talk to them unless you tell them that you have recorded their number and will be suing them under the appropriate laws (can't think of the name right now).
Your number got listed somewhere in association with your address. They are cold calling (notorius liars) and probably called all the neighbors around the target person to mine any info they could get. They probably called all the neighbor's relatives or persons with similar names too. If the collection agency calls again, do not talk to them unless you tell them that you have recorded their number and will be suing them under the appropriate laws (can't think of the name right now).
I forgot to mention that if you look up the neighbors name in the White Pages it isn't even listed under the same addy.. you think its still the same situation? Mine is listed but their addy isn't.. thanks for your response.
If they call back, be sure to get their name. Then start by reporting phone harassment to the police. You may want to change your phone number.
When I first moved to my current city, phone numbers were limited and reassigned quickly. I kept getting phone calls for someone who had apparently skipped out on a car loan and dumped a dog. The callers kept insisting I was this person. Very disconcerting. Good luck.
Information on you or your neighbor can be obtained from garbage or simply looking in the mailbox. County court records will match property to the owners, and if your neighbor ever ordered anything other than in person, she probably gave them a contact number and an address. That's all that's needed for a cold-call. How is your phone number connected? I'd suspect the cold-caller has a friend in the phone company selling information. Many times people have been fired from commercial retail companies for compiling and selling customer information. They haven't all been caught, though. I'd be careful of your identy, and contact your credit companies of your concern. You may be a target, as may be your neighbor. She should be warned, too.
as a former collector for a bank we often used a cross reference lookup to get in touch with neighbors to see if they'd leave a message on our customers door to call back. This often embarrassed the customer into calling back...or pissed them off so they called to complain about our calling the neighbor. This could be that situation.
Please let me know if you think this is weird... Today I got a phone call from a Collections agency, the only thing is they didn't ask to speak to me, they asked to speak to the name of my neighbor that lives downstairs. Immediately a red flag came up, I called back the number and the company assured me that they were not in the process of cold calling, and that any informations could only have been obtained if given to them. My number is also an UNLISTED number and has been since I had a phone installed. The neighbors have lived there for 5 years and we have only lived here for < 1, so there is no way for lines crossing or having similar digits. Had the call asked for a random person I would have no reason for alarm, but I thought this was a little close for comfort (they asked for her exact name).. I have to add in that I don't really trust the neighbors that live downstairs nor the landlord.. Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid,, but I still think it is pretty strange.. Suggestions, thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!
Yeah, tell them to *&#@ ! themselves, and hang up the phone!
Collections agencies are disgusting. No ethics whatsoever.
How weird, I rent a house and this just happened tonight. For several days we have been getting calls from a collection agency (automated). Finally tired of listening to them on the answering machine so I called back here they wanted my neighbor. Weird, weird, weird.
Some neighbors will use other neighbors' address and or number when applying for credit or buying/renting things thinking that it will make it harder for the collections to find them. I actually have one neighbor who has several kids and grandkids who use her home and telephone for certain business contacts.
as a former collector for a bank we often used a cross reference lookup to get in touch with neighbors to see if they'd leave a message on our customers door to call back. This often embarrassed the customer into calling back...or pissed them off so they called to complain about our calling the neighbor. This could be that situation.
Isn't that illegal?? at the very least harrassment
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Thanks!
collection calls
