Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Bill Collector Madness

Over the past few weeks, I've received a few calls from bill collectors who were looking for a friend/former friend of mine.

The first time they called, I told them they had the wrong phone number. When they asked how I was related to the person they were seeking, I told them I wasn't - which is true. But still, I received calls from time-to-time.

The last time I received such a call, I asked for the representative's name and the name of his organization. I then told him that, not only did he have the wrong number, but that they've been told this often enough to know. I think he said something smartassed and terminated the call.

I used my caller i.d. to call back and I asked for the representative by-name. They said they didn't have anyone by that name so I said that means the representative LIED to me about who he was. She said that maybe the name was different, but I rejected that idea since I verified the spelling with him.

She asked for my account number repeatedly and I kept telling her I didn't have one but that I wanted them to stop calling me. At some point, I think she put someone more experienced on the phone and that person got "the smart ass" with me, saying something about me not wasting their time if I don't have an account with them.

"Look," I said, "YOU called ME."

"No, sir," she corrected, "YOU called US back."

"I can only call you 'back' if YOU called me, FIRST."

"Sir, chill out."

"Don't tell me to..."

"I'm terminating this call." Click.


So, of course, I called back, again. And, again. And, again.

I walked out of the office and politely gave these people hell. Whenever they hung up on me, I called them back and, on the third or fourth call, I got someone who said my number was no longer in the system.

Now, I know he may have been lying, but he was respectful, at least. HE hadn't done shit TO me, so I didn't want to take it all out on him.

I ended my harrassment of the bill collectors, at that point, thanking the representative for doing the one thing none of his peers were capable of doing - showing me the respect I demand and deserve.

We wished each other a good day and mutually terminated the call.


I've gotta say, I (and everyone I've mentioned this to) like the idea of harrassing the harrassers, for a change. They're used to being over-the-phone bullies, but every minute I spend bullying them cuts into their potential profits.

You may disagree, but I think that was time well-spent.

(Of course, none of this explains exactly HOW they got my number and associated it with a friend. I believe the friend when she says she doesn't remember giving it to'em. I'm thinking someone sold some faulty information, somewhere down the line.)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this! I had a similar experience with a phone solicitor who somehow got my son's name. This wasn't the first time that I had to explain to these people that they shouldn't be soliciting money from minors. It got a little ugly and ended up with me terminating the call.

YouToldHarpoTaBeatMe said...

"I will sue your organization for harassment" seems to be working quite nicely for me. LoL

West said...

Sounds good to me.

Luke Cage said...

LOL!!! The heck with that West. Give 'em hell buddy. I love it.. !