Phone Problems...

I have had my phone number since April. Up until last night, about once a week, I would get a call from the same person - he does not speak English and when I answer the phone, he just repetes "Hello?" over and over again until I finally hang up on him. Sometimes, he would call a couple of times in a row.

Last night at around 11:30, the phone rings. I answer it, and it is the guy. I tell him again (as I have told him many times) "You have the wrong number." I hang up the phone. Two minutes later, the phone rings. It is him. I tell him "You have the wrong number" and hang up. Five minutes later, the phone rings. It is him. I pick up the phone and yell "You have the wrong number!!!! Quit calling me!!!!" The phone rings again, and I let it ring until my vm picks up. He calls every few minutes. At 12:15, I unplug all the phone in my house and go to bed.

When I got home from work today, I checked my caller ID (He is out of my area, so I don't know his phone number) and there are 12 calls between 9:30 and 1:30 today from him. Five of those times, he stayed on the line and said "Hello? Hello?" into my vm. I am at my wit's end. I don't know what to do about this short of changing my phone number. I cannot call block him because I do not know his phone number. Verizon has offered to put an option on my phone that would require the caller to say his/her name and press the pound sign in order to ring through if they are out of the area, but I had that on my phone for a short time and my brother nor my sister could get through to me without a significant wait (up to 45 minutes!).

Suggestions???

I NEVER pick up "Out Of Area" calls.

Can't your phone company trace that number and block it, if they know it's coming?

Originally Posted by Kaz

I NEVER pick up "Out Of Area" calls.

I get a lot of legit out-of-area calls, though.

Originally Posted by Kaz

I NEVER pick up "Out Of Area" calls.

My sister has an unlisted and caller ID blocked number, so I do pick up "out of area" calls because it might be her.

Does your phone company give you the option of blocking calls that don't provide Caller ID information? This would get rid of the "Out of Area" calls (including telemarketers) without making your brother or sister wait to get through.

Originally Posted by The Roadstergal

I get a lot of legit out-of-area calls, though.

They said that I can dial *57 after this person calls to "trace" the call. It costs $1 each time I do this, and they log that the number has been traced (though I don't get any information about the number). After a number has been traced in this way 5 times, I can call the "Unlawful calling center" and they will start some process of getting the call blocked. I guess I'll have to go that route. Seems sort of ridiculous, though.

Originally Posted by GregE_325

Does your phone company give you the option of blocking calls that don't provide Caller ID information? This would get rid of the "Out of Area" calls (including telemarketers) without making your brother or sister wait to get through.

No. Unfortunately, it is either all or nothing. I can put the option I mentioned on the phone, which would catch any out of area calls (including my sister and brother). Ugh!

Originally Posted by Claresecl

I would get a call from the same person - he does not speak English and when I answer the phone, he just repetes "Hello?" over and over again until I finally hang up on him. Sometimes, he would call a couple of times in a row.

Hey, that guy calls me too.

Originally Posted by Mathew

Hey, that guy calls me too.

Next time he calls you, will you please tell him to stop calling me??

Hello?

Originally Posted by Claresecl

No. Unfortunately, it is either all or nothing. I can put the option I mentioned on the phone, which would catch any out of area calls (including my sister and brother). Ugh!

It looks like Verizon offers various types of blocking and filtering services, but not in your state. Yours is a crummy situation to have to deal with. Would it be possible to put the blocking on and just have your family call your cell phone?

Originally Posted by jw

Hello?

STOPCALLINGMEYOUHAVETHEWRONGNUMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Claresecl

They said that I can dial *57 after this person calls to "trace" the call. It costs $1 each time I do this, and they log that the number has been traced (though I don't get any information about the number). After a number has been traced in this way 5 times, I can call the "Unlawful calling center" and they will start some process of getting the call blocked. I guess I'll have to go that route. Seems sort of ridiculous, though.

I agree. You have to have 5 calls to make a harasser? One call after a clear "don't call me" should be enough. Sorry about your situation!

Originally Posted by GregE_325

It looks like Verizon offers various types of blocking and filtering services, but not in your state. Yours is a crummy situation to have to deal with. Would it be possible to put the blocking on and just have your family call your cell phone?

Well... They could (and do) call my cell phone. However, although calls from my brother and sister are the most important, I have only lived in this state since October. I have many friends in other states who call me at home, as well. It seems wrong for me to have to resort to using my cell phone because of this, you know? I really wish there was something that the phone company could do. Perhaps I should buy some sort of loud siren or whistle and blast it into the phone when he calls again.

Originally Posted by Claresecl

Perhaps I should buy some sort of loud siren or whistle and blast it into the phone when he calls again.

I like that. Or a fax machine noise.

Originally Posted by Claresecl

Well... They could (and do) call my cell phone. However, although calls from my brother and sister are the most important, I have only lived in this state since October. I have many friends in other states who call me at home, as well. It seems wrong for me to have to resort to using my cell phone because of this, you know? I really wish there was something that the phone company could do. Perhaps I should buy some sort of loud siren or whistle and blast it into the phone when he calls again.

Actually, a small air horn might not be a bad idea. You know, the kind that people take to football games. That would certainly get his attention, although you would have to put up with the noise as well. At least until he got the message.
Or start answering the phone like you it's the local police department/pizza shop/gas station. Maybe he would lose interest that way.
RG is right, though, it shouldn't be this much trouble to take care of a problem caller.

Hey that's E.T.

he must've forgotten the area code for his planet

Originally Posted by Claresecl

My sister has an unlisted and caller ID blocked number, so I do pick up "out of area" calls because it might be her.

Blocked numbers should show up as "Private" or similar.

I never expect "Out Of Area" calls so it works for me.

I gotta tell you this sounds more like a crank call than a legit one to me. how many times is some one going to call what is surely a wrong number? The guy doesnt speak english? Are you sure it's not Alex? Too bad we live so far apart - could come over and answer the phone for you. I imitate a fax machine REALLY well. Gets the phone a little wet tho.......

Originally Posted by GregE_325

Or start answering the phone like you it's the local police department/pizza shop/gas station. Maybe he would lose interest that way.

That is a great idea - answering as the local police dept. I think I'll try that.

Originally Posted by glaws

I gotta tell you this sounds more like a crank call than a legit one to me. how many times is some one going to call what is surely a wrong number? The guy doesnt speak english? Are you sure it's not Alex? Too bad we live so far apart - could come over and answer the phone for you. I imitate a fax machine REALLY well. Gets the phone a little wet tho.......

I agree, last night and today it definately seemed more like a crank call than legit. I'm sure that this is the same person that has called in the past. Though the fact that he kept calling today while I was at work and actually said "Hello" into my vm a few time makes me think that he may be some senile person who doesn't understand how to use a phone... Perhaps it IS Alex?

If I pay for your airfare out here will you come and do your fax machine immitation? Seems that would be a treat even if my caller goes away on his own!

Originally Posted by Kaz

Blocked numbers should show up as "Private" or similar.

I never expect "Out Of Area" calls so it works for me.

You may be right - I cannot recall whether my sister shows up as "Private." My brother and all my friends back in CA and other states all show up as "Out of Area."

I have a similar problem on my cellphone... the number is (616) XXX-1000. I get calls from this lady who is trying to reach her boss. From what I can guess her boss's number is (616) XXX-100X, and she punches in an extra "0" so she gets me. One time I just pretended to be "Bob", her boss. She asked me if she should get the truck unloaded. I said "No, wait till tomorrow when I come into the office." I hope she got in trouble for that.

Originally Posted by Pete Teoh

I have a similar problem on my cellphone... the number is (616) XXX-1000. I get calls from this lady who is trying to reach her boss. From what I can guess her boss's number is (616) XXX-100X, and she punches in an extra "0" so she gets me. One time I just pretended to be "Bob", her boss. She asked me if she should get the truck unloaded. I said "No, wait till tomorrow when I come into the office." I hope she got in trouble for that.

LOL!! You are so bad!!!