Everyone hates it when they get a call from a telemarketer, or from a repeat caller with a wrong number. But lately, I’ve been getting calls for someone who isn’t at my home number, never has been as far as I can tell, and is actively giving my phone number to creditors as if it were his own. At least two or three times a week, I get calls on my home phone for a Mr. Ramos (he has used Roberto, Alvaro, and Vernon as his latest iteration) from creditors. My roommate and I have begun striking up conversations with the creditors, telling them that we get calls all the time for him and to please mark the number as invalid since he does not live here and we do not know him. And then a few weeks ago, one of the callers, from a city services agency, told me that he had given them the number a few days prior! So it’s not just an old leftover number given to creditors long ago - he is actually giving out my number currently.

I know that identity theft probably happens all the time in New York City. A stolen credit card or careless tossing away of financial information is all it takes. But what do you do if it’s not actual identity theft? The guy is not using my name or SS# and not my address - just my phone number. It’s annoying as all hell, but is it illegal? And what can I do to stop it?

And if you happen to read this, Roberto/Alvaro/Vernon, quit it. I’m starting to get angry, and you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.

Related posts:

1. No home phone, no cell phone…
2. Doomed Without Phone
3. Purse & Peanut Butter Thieves
4. phone booths as advertising
5. Charge it! Or not.