How to stop collections calls that aren’t for me?
For the past few months, I have constantly got collections calls for someone who has the same first and last name as me. Our first and last names are the same, but we have a different middle initial. At first I wasn’t bothered too much by these, but the have become increasingly frequent, and upsetting. The collectors are very rude to me, and I am really beginning to become upset by the way I am being treated. The calls usually go-
"hello is this (first & last name)"
I’ll then say yes it is
then the collector will tell me they are calling about my capital one visa card.
then i tell them that i do not have this card, and they have the wrong phone number, after that the collectors become very rude, accusing me of lying about not being this person, and often use very harsh language.
I have explained on every call that I have the same first and last name, but do not, and never have had a capital one card, etc. Each time I am called, I am told my number will be marked as incorrect. But this has been going on for a good 6 months, 2-3 times a week, often more. I have never had a capital one card, or any credit card for that matter. I get a credit report quarterly from BoA, so I know that identity theft isn’t a problem in this particular case. After about a month or so of these calls I unlisted my number, however that hasn’t made much of a difference. On many calls I have requested to speak to a supervisor, but am always denied, and just told that the agent I am speaking to will take care of removing the number. I am really getting tired of this. These calls show up on caller id as several different sources/#s, so it isn’t a matter of just avoiding a certain caller. What else can I do to make this harassment stop?
This will almost always work:
Step One:
Send them a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt stating:
Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am requesting that you cease all communications with me about this alleged debt. This is not my debt. This letter is being time stamped via Certified Mail and I can confirm receipt. I will pursue each subsequent phone call from your office with a $1,000 per incident penalty for Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations
Step Two:
Next time they call, read the following statement:
Pursuant to [your state] state law, this is to inform you that this phone call is being recorded. If you do not consent to being recorded, you need to terminate this call. Pursuant to [your state] state law, continuation of this phone call after officially being informed that it is being recorded implies consent to be recorded. This recording will be used to pursue Fair Debt Collection Practice Act violations in a court of law.