Someone has given my number instead of their own. What can I do?!

[mnahmnah]

Hi

For months now, I have been getting an increasing number of calls and texts, voicemails etc from a variety of financial companies and solicitors. They are all after the same man, who I have never heard of. It’s a very distinctive name. He’s obviously being chased about something financial and has given my mobile number instead of his own.

I don’t always get to speak to them - lots of missed calls and voicemails while I am at work - but when I do, I explain and they remove me from their records. Always very apologetic. But then another company or solicitor will start calling

This can’t carry on! Does anyone know of a way in which I can get this logged somewhere so it stops? Thanks!

You could register with the TPS but if he has given the number you will probably still get calls.

Thanks. I knew there was a service like that, just couldn’t remember the name! I might start with that. It would be handy even if it doesn’t stop this lot.

Send everything that isn't a known contact to voicemail and have a message to say something like "if you are calling for X this is not his number, it has never been his number and he cannot be reached this way; if you are calling for [me] please leave a message after the tone".

Or change your number it might be easier

I'd just block them. I couldn't be bothered to keep calling back and explaining.

Are you sure that they're actually looking for him? I get a lot of calls asking for someone by a certain name but when I say it's the wrong number they then try to sell me something, so I assume the name is just a way in.

I'd ask my network provider to give me a new number I think.

This happened to me for ages when I changed my phone number. I think 02 must have just recycled it. The man clearly had some debt issues; and seemed to be a good provider of drugs

Anyway, it was pretty relentless for a few months but I’ve had nothing in a few years now. Eventually everyone got the picture. A few places told me that they need to be told it’s not the correct number a few times, or they presume that the person they’re looking for has just got someone else to answer the phone.

I know it’s a lot of fuss but I’d change my number rather than keep going through the issue of having to tell people it’s the wrong number as you don’t know if he’ll just keep on doing it

Assuming you're female OP they're a bit daft to keep trying. I had this once but I said no, my name is X and they left me alone after that

I'm getting calls fo someone else too usually about a car accident. Really annoying. I tend not to answer if I don't know the number.

My son had this with a reconditioned phone. In the end we changed his number.

I've had this witha woman named Tracy for 2 years now. I just don't answer unknown numbers anymore, irritating, but I couldn't find a solution.

You could set your phone to only ring for people in your contacts list.....I have done this as I ended up on some shitey spam list and the compo claims were very tiresome.

It's brilliant! No rogue calls at all.

I had messages years ago telling me how much sand and gravel were being delivered.

I had calls, texts and messages, sometimes as many as 5 a day, for a Keith Taylor, no amount of telling them they had the wrong number worked, in the end I changed my number.

@eurochick and @LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow

Great ideas thanks. Will try these.

I always block the numbers. But as I said, different companies and solicitors on different numbers try.

They never try to sell me anything. As soon as I explain, they’re very apologetic, say they will remove me from their record and go.

I’m reluctant to change my number. I’ve had it for 20 years!

Thanks everyone