Dec 28, 2013
Caller left no message, but I returned the call to identify the caller, blocking my own number (doesn't work with toll free services, eg 800, 866, 877). Their recording said "All of our agents are still busy, please hold." After several repeats of the recording, a male voice surprised me with "hello." I explained that I was returning their phone call. He asked if I was Shawn Osborne. I have been receiving debt collections calls about this identity thief for over 9 years, which I explained to this "male voice'. Predictably, he immediately disconnected without so much as a fare-thee-well.
As soon as I inform these agents, they disconnect and, apparently, quickly sell the number to another debt collector who doesn't bother to verify the lists, just like this caller, trying to cut their losses on my phone number. (I always hope they paid dearly for it.) The only solution I've found that works (sort of) is a call blocking device. My phone company provides "call blocking," but it only works for ten numbers, so I bought one that works for 12,000 numbers (love it!). So, for now, if the calls suddenly stop for one of the collections companies and a new one picks up, at least I'll know which pest called this time.