Att Rant

[Macisgr8]

I need feedback on what to do about there BS.

4:00 AM I started getting calls from a teletmarketer.
Every 20-40 min I get another call.
I finaly answer arround 7am
He wants Mark Brown. I tried to explain I'm not Mark Brown He can barely speak english indian accent.

8:00 I call ATT and ask to block the number they say it can't be done without paying them 30$ a month or 60$ to get a new number- I can't afford that so I hung up

8:20 He calls again same story I try and explain I'm not that person.
8:40 I google the telephone number and apparently he works at a collection agency for ATT.
9:00 I call them and confirm I dont have any outstanding bills. ( I dont) they ask my number giving me trouble they do a search by number and say threes an outstanding bill but they understand I'm not mark brown but say they do not "communicate " with the collection agency once my number has been "sold" THIS IS NOT MY BILL and they wont block the number (they give me the same BS that I have to pay alot of $ to block) and its there collection center calling me.

I'm pissed I don't know what to do. I tried speaking to a manager but one was "not around" lmfao I'm a customer service manager and one of us is always around. (trust me I know I've worked 14 hr days before).

Bottom line: What could I do? This is extortion

 

[joekun]

Get your credit reports (annualcreditreport.com is the site set up by the government to get them for free once a year). They MAY have opened a collection account on your credit report for this guy (this happened to me with the other AT&T). If that's the case dispute it with the credit agency. Also you should get some contact info for the collection agency and you could send them a letter but I don't know how well that would go as I've never had to go that far. I wasn't receiving calls yet either.

Your other choice is to go to donotcall.gov and get yourself on the list. If the problem persists file a complaint against the collection agency. They shouldn't be calling you since they have no business with you.

 

[Applejuiced]

iBlacklist

 

[Konz]

I know it would all vary by state, but there are certainly laws against that type of thing.

I worked at a collection agency in Pennsylvania and we were only allowed to call people ONE time per day (if they picked up; voicemail didn't count), and it had to be during normal business hours. We were informed that doing otherwise would be in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and could result in our company being sued.

I don't know where you are, but I'm sure they're violating several laws already if what you say is true.

Edit: One other thing worth noting -- we were required to remove any number from their account at their request UNLESS it was their home phone number, in which case a formal written notice was required.

 

[Acronym]

check these links they supposedly are used to block all telemarketers

United States Do Not Call

Canada Do Not Call

 

[Type121]

check these links they supposedly are used to block all telemarketers

A collection agency is not a telemarketer and isn't bound by the do not call lists.

And dealing with AT&T to get them to block the number is not the correct way to stop this. Some dirtbag has given your number out as their own. You need to watch your credit report to see if they've gone further than that. You need to investigate your state's law regarding bill collectors. Generally in most states, you can tell the collector that they cannot contact you by phone anymore and they are supposed to abide by that. In most states, all you really need to do is send a letter stating you are not the person they are looking for. You should get the name and address of the collection agency as there are big fines if they break the law, and in many cases they will end up having to pay you damages.

 

[auser1]

tell them to cease and desist all communication including calling you and get there address and mail them a letter saying that you would like for them to cease and desist any communication with you. if they are a decent collection agency and follow the FDCPA regulations they will never call you again. if not then they are breaking the law.

 

[jav6454]

... feedback snip ...

Here is my advice:

1. Check your credit reports with any responsible and respectable agency you chose (a bank is a great choice). You can also go online and check them. Verify it is your using your social security number, not someone else.

2. Go to an actual AT&T store and explain your situation and ask for some kind of proof where your number is free of any outstanding bills in case a collection agency shows up.

3. If this persists, call your local police department as this might be a case of Identity Theft.

4. Change phone number (this normally requires a new SIM from AT&T which is around $25-$15) to prevent further problems.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

This is not ATT fault. This is the collection agency breaking the law.

They can not call at unreasonable hours which I want to say is 8 to 8 or something like that.

They can not harrass you. And ask to speak to a supervisor explain it again.

Get their address and send in a written letter demanding the stop and do not contact you at the number any way. Make sure it is sent certified mail.

Keep a log of each time they call and when. Turn it over to the authorities. The company will get a nice fine hand to them for EACH time they broke the law. That can be quite a list when you hand it over.