2 calls from this number on my phone bill. Altogether there are 4 calls on my bill which bill me for calls made TO me. 2 from 858-433-9896 and 2 from 214-446-0482. I know the second number was calls from Obama's campaign, but I don't recall what the calls from this number were. I really don't understand why I'm being billed for calls made TO me. What a racket they have going on here.

Seems to be an automated call designed to annoy Republicans.  The call was John McCain's voice, but raised in frequency slightly in order to make it sound funny.  The content was an out of date press conference, taken out of context so that it was irrelevant.  Also the call came in before 7AM on Christmas morning.  On top of that, the call was to my 800 number (similar to dlh's comment), so I had to pay.  Maybe dlh is right, that it is from the Obama campaign, but it seems more similar to the Democrats' tactics in the 2000 campaign, when they push-polled ludicrous charges against McCain hoping to blame Bush for it.  I wouldn't have thought Obama was experienced enough to be waging a dirty tricks campaign like this.  It might be a ploy within a ploy from someone else.

I've got a billed call on my phone bill from (858) 433-9896  and one from (214) 446-0482, just like dlh above.  I just tried to call these two numbers and they are both now out of service. I wonder if the responsible parties have moved on to different numbers or whether someone put them away.

These calls came in on my toll-free number and when I got them, the caller id said (616) 960-2804.  Check out the WIRED blog posting at  http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/12/whos-behind-the.html

which has a great deal of additional information.  Also check out the telemarketing-tracking sites like Who Called Us and 800Notes for more information on these calls.

Basically, someone is calling toll-free numbers using some type of technology to "spoof" the actual calling number and billed number systems, I think.  They are using automated calling systems to play absurd messages, with no identification of who is calling and why, and they seem to be calling us in the middle of the night, waking us up, and scaring people with elderly parents, etc.

Please report these calls to the FCC and post your experiences on the two websites indicated above.  Some legislator, regulator, or law enforcement official is going to do something about this.  Soon, I hope!

Echoch

Yep, I'm just looking over my Dec phone bill and have the same numbers as well. Both the 214-446-0482 and 858-433-9896. I too, have a too free number so I have to pay for the four calls as well. I'm glad to hear the numbers are out of service but am also wondering they have moved on to different numbers or whether someone put them away.