Weird...

So this weekend I'm down in DC on vacation visiting my friend. I received a phone call on my cell phone saying that "Its not a Sales call" and it is important that I call this 800# back immediately.

I tried calling back over the weekend but apparently my cell phone wasn't working properly in DC. Even though I could call any other number, that number wouldn't work (but my friend could call that number and get throug???).

Anyhoo so I just called, got through (didn't want to use her phone incase it was a private matter). The company is a debt collector and they asked for the name of the previous tenant of our house (he rented it before us).

I'm a little miffed as this is my cell phone, therefore unlisted (and on the Do Not Call list). The house is privately rented through a landlord, versus a management company.

Does anyone know how they would've gotten my cell phone number??? I'm getting a little paranoid here.

Thanks!

I hope you didn't give them any personal information. This could have been a scam.

I don't know how they got your cell number unless you called their 800 number before. Collection agencies hire people called "skip tracers" who are very good at finding info to track people down. Plus, I think there are companies that compile cell phone directories and sell them to businesses.

Originally Posted by Nerelda

I hope you didn't give them any personal information. This could have been a scam.

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Thats what I was thinking I've heard of a couple of -800- scams going on. One is really messed up! If you call the number back, they somehow get access to your account! And can even use your phone service and run up the bill! I don't know how they do it, seeing that they don't actually have the phone-but it happened to a lady here at work. I hope thats not what happened, but if I were you I'd call your service provider and let them know the situation.

I don't know about anyone else, but if I get a call from a recording saying how important it is to call them back (or worse, telling me to hold for the next available operator), I won't call back. If it's important, they will have a person call me (and be available when I answer). There are far too many scams out there for me to trust any phone number I don't know, especially a 800 number.

Also, when I get a call from an 800 number, I put it into Google to try to find out who is calling me. That has come in handy on more than one occassion!

Thanks everyone.

I looked up the phone # on Google and all that came back was that the 800# was in DC. I've heard about the scams before (i.e. charging $400 to your phone bill), so I did a double check and found that the number was from a local debt agency.

The message that was left was not a recording, but an actual person (she stuttered a bit in the VM).

I'm still curious how they associated my cell phone with the previous tenant though. Unless like you said consumercity, a skip tracer just sold them the number and the address, but not the name???

Hmm that's scary how little privacy we ave really. If someone wants your information that much, they can get it.

The debit collection company had his old address on file and then cross referenced it with the address on your cell phone. The person who used to live at your address probably owes a lot of money to either a credit card company or to a bank for a car loan. I wouldn't give them any information at all simply because collection companies are the scum of the earth. They will stop at nothing to collect your debit. Tell them that you have no idea where the guy is and if they ever call again you will contact the FCC. They will stop calling.

Originally Posted by lookingglass

The debit collection company had his old address on file and then cross referenced it with the address on your cell phone. The person who used to live at your address probably owes a lot of money to either a credit card company or to a bank for a car loan. I wouldn't give them any information at all simply because collection companies are the scum of the earth. They will stop at nothing to collect your debit. Tell them that you have no idea where the guy is and if they ever call again you will contact the FCC. They will stop calling.

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Thanks!!!

When I talked to them yesterday I simply told them that he was no longer renting that house and that this number was my personal cell phone.

I feel better though that it was all behind the scenes/cross referencing. I was a little paranoid that this guy somehow got my cell # and was using it.
(Only reason I say this is that I've met the guy a couple of times...plus he never forward his mail so we keep getting it and one of the things he got was an order to appear in court for larceny. I know its different from theft, but still...).