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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Someone using my phone number - WWYD?

60 replies

StripyHorse · 04/02/2024 15:38

I have had my mobile number for years. It is fairly easy to remember and I have no intention of changing it. But...

Someone gives out my phone number. Initially it was to estate agents (I was getting calls from estate agents due to my interest in flats about 4 hours away from me). I did ask those I spoke to to ask the person to check their number.

At random intervals, I have messages from courier companies alerting me to an upcoming delivery. When I have clicked on the link it is always the same delivery address details.

I don't know whether they have a similar number and it's a genuine error, or if they don't want to receive texts so change the end of their number - the last few digits of my number are an obvious pattern. Either way, it's gone on about 5 years and gets it my nerves.

I have tried contacting the retailers and explaining the situation but because of GDPR they cannot amend the phone number on this person's account - even though I am calling from the number used and I don't want any information- I just want MY number to be taken from their account.

WWYD? I am tempted to mess with the delivery options so this person doesn't get their parcels until they bother to correct their details.
I could wait until the next text and get their address from the link to write them a letter - but this would probably freak them out.
I could of course continue to ignore it, but at times, e.g. in the run up to Christmas, it gets very annoying having a stream of deliveries.

OP posts:
Frizzyleaf · 04/02/2024 15:43

Annoying! I think it’s probably a genuine error if it’s deliveries and nothing nefarious.

I would write to them and explain. Maybe attach a printed out screenshot so they can see it’s real and not freak out. Then they might be more careful.

Ponoka7 · 04/02/2024 15:43

I used to automatically put a lower number before, rather than after, do 49 instead 94. So I'd be nice and write to them, only a postcard.

Garlickit · 04/02/2024 15:44

This must be annoying! As it's been going on so long with everyday things, it doesn't look like any sort of scam or evil plot. I think you're right, this twerp doesn't know their own phone number, or maybe it has a lot of repeated digits and people take it down wrong.

My direct line at work used to be one digit off Social Services - I was constantly fielding calls from really distressed people!

I would write to them, actually.

Glittertwins · 04/02/2024 15:45

Tell them that the phone number belongs to a child and insist it is removed from their database. I've had to do this for DC's phone at least twice now - we've had the number for over 5 years. Never had a problem with it being removed.

Kaftankween · 04/02/2024 15:47

I had this for several years. I got messages from retailers for someone else and it got really bad at Christmas. It drove me mad. I actually managed to find out the persons name and I discovered where they lived roughly as some messages had an address/location. Over a year or so I tracked them down and emailed them. Nothing changed. So I did indeed start to delay their retail deliveries. I picked one delivery and delayed it a couple of times. After I did that it stopped.

Original poster
StripyHorse · 04/02/2024 15:52

I am certain it's not a scam. At times it is one text to say an item will be delivered and then another with a photo of the item. It is genuinely an accident or someone not wanting to be pestered by texts giving an incorrect number e.g. by changing their last few digits to 1111.

The courier texts are genuine - they come from the same number as my deliveries have (e.g. Royal Mail / DPD alerts) but that also means I can't just block the numbers.

I have drawn blanks when I have tried to get the number removed from their account though - and of course don't want it removed completely, for example I still want Amazon to have my number on my account.

OP posts:
VisionsOfSplendour · 04/02/2024 15:53

Glittertwins · 04/02/2024 15:45

Tell them that the phone number belongs to a child and insist it is removed from their database. I've had to do this for DC's phone at least twice now - we've had the number for over 5 years. Never had a problem with it being removed.

Wouldn't that mean that the OP would never be a lesson to use those couriers though?

It's quite easy to mistype a number, at least it is on my phone, why would someone deliberately not want an update on deliveries

Why would getting a letter explaining the situation freak them out? Unless of course they are a mumsnetter who needs three weeks warning of any kind of unexpected interaction 😂

Original poster
StripyHorse · 04/02/2024 15:56

Kaftankween · 04/02/2024 15:47

I had this for several years. I got messages from retailers for someone else and it got really bad at Christmas. It drove me mad. I actually managed to find out the persons name and I discovered where they lived roughly as some messages had an address/location. Over a year or so I tracked them down and emailed them. Nothing changed. So I did indeed start to delay their retail deliveries. I picked one delivery and delayed it a couple of times. After I did that it stopped.

This is what they obviously haven't realised, some courtiers do show the address, so they are giving that info away.

I will try writing first, but the idea imof delaying their mail to spur them into action from inconvenience has crossed my mind.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 04/02/2024 15:56

if you have the person’s address - write to them and say that they need to stop using your number. If they don’t then I would definitely start messing around with their deliveries!

Containerhome · 04/02/2024 15:58

I will be honest. If my deliveries had been delayed etc the phone number used wouldn't be my first thought. If you have an address. I would send a letter that they have to sign for so that you know they have received it. Explain to them very clearly that they can't keep using your number and how easy it was for a complete stranger to get their address.

Then maybe make something up about it being identity theft or something. Might scare them into stopping it!

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 04/02/2024 15:59

Happened ne before and turned out to be an elderly man. When I started getting his covid vaccines and several other medical appointments, I called the hospital and his GP.

It eventually stopped or maybe he died.

Contact everyone & get it removed from the data based or sent them a letter & ask them to stop. It might just be the have saved the incorrect number and are using auto fill when ordering online.

Glittertwins · 04/02/2024 16:02

@VisionsOfSplendour - they should remove the phone no if it doesn't belong to that person. It's not hard to remove data from a database and it doesn't need to breach GDPR either.
Our problem was a person called Terry who couldn't not get their number right. We went through a phase of getting texts from a company addressed to Terry, I'd call them up and tell them Terry was not on this number so please remove it from your systems. Then 6 months later, Terry evidently wasn't getting what they wanted and gave them the wrong number again so I had to call them back. So far, so good.

LovePoppy · 04/02/2024 16:06

I have this with my email. The other person shares my name, but put a 1 at the end

so I’m jessicajones@ email and she’s jessicajones1@ email

i get her car service appts, her hoa news letters, her children’s school class lists, emails from her mother.

I’ve written to both her and the people emailing her. She, her mother and her school get belligerent that I’m annoyed to get her emails. The school one was the worst as I had a class list, home addresses and email for the whole class and the admin got mad at me.

I now sign her up for insurance quotes.

Baldieheid · 04/02/2024 16:08

I feel your pain.

I've had Thames Water, and now a debt collection company, ringing me for 2 or 3 years looking for someone called Katie to get her to pay her debt. I'm not called Katie, I've had my number for over a decade and I'm in Scotland, and have been all my life. Hardly likely to be running up a bill with Thames Water.

Katie, if you're reading this, pull your finger out and get it paid, love, cos you're pissing me off.

PoppingTomorrow · 04/02/2024 16:14

underneaththeash · 04/02/2024 15:56

if you have the person’s address - write to them and say that they need to stop using your number. If they don’t then I would definitely start messing around with their deliveries!

This plus remind the companies that they have an obligation under GDPR to ensure the data they keep is accurate, and if they do not remove this incorrect number from their customer records you will have to report them to the ICO.

Original poster
StripyHorse · 04/02/2024 16:14

Interesting to see how many other people get this too.

Judging by the companies they are ordering from, I would say they are not elderly.

I suppose I thought they would be freaked out to have a letter because someone random knows their name and address - but perhaps that's no bad thing. If they gave out someone else's number the recipient may use those details for nefarious purposes (rather than just alerting them to their error).

OP posts:
PaulCostinRIP · 04/02/2024 16:20

I had this a few years ago with a man who was giving out my number to trades people .

I was getting all kinds of messages for quotes and orders made.

One was for a kitchen company and the chap who worked there was brilliant and said he knew the man personally and checked the number and it was a 5 instead of a 6 so it was not done deliberately and the kitchen company sorted it out with the man.

Baldieheid · 04/02/2024 16:27

I had another good one a few years ago. I was getting messages left from Leicester Hospital giving me updates on a patient, her test results (!!!) and then that they'd been moved to another ward. I was even told they'd deteriorated and perhaps i'd like to go in.
Withheld number, but the message said they were calling from Leicester hospital.
When I rang the main switchboard, they didn't want to know.

I couldn't tell them which ward was ringing me, nor the name of the caller, nor could I give them the patient name as it was an unfamiliar name and I couldn't make it out. They basically told me to stop wasting their time. I hate to imagine some poor family turning up to visit granny and being told she was gravely ill and why didn't they come in immediately they were called?

That one shocked me. I had a strangers medical test results left on my phone.

ChateauMargaux · 04/02/2024 16:27

Don't spend too much time thinking about the stress they might feel if someone knows their name and address.. someone does.. you!!!!

Write to them... give them 7 days to contact you to confirm they will change it.. and if they don't.. start messing with their deliveries!!! Don't warn them that you will do that, just ask that they contact you to confirm they will take action and if they don't... take action of your own.

Crumpleton · 04/02/2024 17:25

Kaftankween · 04/02/2024 15:47

I had this for several years. I got messages from retailers for someone else and it got really bad at Christmas. It drove me mad. I actually managed to find out the persons name and I discovered where they lived roughly as some messages had an address/location. Over a year or so I tracked them down and emailed them. Nothing changed. So I did indeed start to delay their retail deliveries. I picked one delivery and delayed it a couple of times. After I did that it stopped.

This...

Poster went out of their way and was fair in letting them know so the other person could rectify but was ignored so got on and delt with it.

MermaidEyes · 04/02/2024 17:38

I used to get that regularly with a particular restaurant, many many miles from where I live, reminding me of my table booking. I started clicking on the Cancel link in the text to cancel the booking. Strangely enough I've never had one since.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 04/02/2024 17:47

I would absolutely send a letter as I think if it’s an accident this will alert them to change it and if it’s intentional it will probably freak them out that you can get their personal information and lead them to stop doing it. If that didn’t make a difference I would probably then start messing with the delivery options, but I’d give them a heads up first.

Wheelz46 · 04/02/2024 17:50

Contact the companies sending the texts and advise them they are sending you details of another persons information and are in breach of GDPR!

YogiYogiBear · 04/02/2024 18:00

It's probably been saved incorrectly in their phone or email. Hence it keeps happening.

Joonio · 04/02/2024 18:02

I've had this with an email address informing me of orders and deliveries. It's someone in Australia.

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