My mother's phone line is somehow crossed with a scam 800#

[OneGrassRoot]

I've just researched the company the various people calling her 24/7, inadvertently, are trying to reach. Tons of complaints have been lodged, they keep creating new websites, there is only the 800# and no other way to reach them.

I got through one time but they just keep you on hold; evidently that's their M.O.

BTW, it's one of those acai berry products being pushed via radio for weight loss.

Anyway, my mom's phone company said there's nothing they can do; they said it seems that someone has forwarded their 800# for rollovers to her phone. She's in a different state and the numbers aren't remotely similar.

I can't find a way to reach anyone.

Suggestions, short of my mom changing her phone number?

[Lars39]

1. The phone company can issue your mom a new number, they just don't wanna.

[Kittycat]

2. Sue?

[EFerrari]

3. Do you know where the company is based?

[Believing Is Art]

4. Bite the bullet

Get the phone number changed. Suing would cost too much and take a long time, if it even gives you any results. Trying to talk to the 800# company won't get you anywhere.

[On the Road]

5. If It's That Serious,

BelievingisArt's suggestion of changing the number is not a bad one. That's not a hard procedure.

To inform legitimate callers of the new number, it should be possible to get a CO announcement stating the new name and number. I don't know if this is done in most areas, but you can even ask if there is a way to get a custom message informing callers that the recipient has nothing to do with Acai Berries or whatever. If you go through the harrassing call center, you might be more likely to get it done for free.

The other avenue is that you might want to threaten to sue. If you can find who owns the domain and do a little research, it might be done by mail.

[EFerrari]

6. The 800 number has to resolve to a location, doesn't it?

If that's true, I'd just call the police in that location and ask to speak to their fraud unit. It won't stop the calls but it's something.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. They have several locations listed, several websites.....

but the same 800# is always referenced. Not sure what that means or what can be done based on that information.

I do "whois" for the various websites, and all numbers listed for those are bogus or not working.

I think I'll do the harassing call center approach and ask to have her number changed, with an outgoing message, for free.

Thanks. :)

[OneGrassRoot]

9. Thanks, Everyone.

Much appreciated. :)

[EFerrari]

11. Sounds like a plan. If you have an area code and an exchange

even if they don't work, that also resolves to a location.

Go get 'em! :hi:

[On the Road]

14. That Would Actually be Another Way to Do It

Check out this link to do a reverse search on toll-free numbers. Includes and address.

Sample Query: 800-325-3535Response:
ATLANTA MARRIOTT 2000 CENTURY BLVD NE ATLANTA, GA 30345 800-325-3535

http://www.tollfreephone.com/

If you're really serious, Dun & Bradstreet can give excruciating details on the offending company. It may cost a little, but it's worth checking out.

[OneGrassRoot]

15. Wow -- thanks so much!!! :)

You're a wealth of information! :hi:

[EFerrari]

17. That's a great link!

:applause:

[OneGrassRoot]

7. harrassing call center....

That sounds like the first step, to get it done for free. Great suggestions -- thank you, On the Road!!! :)

[On the Road]

20. Well, I've Worked for a Local Phone Company for 20 Years

If you're talking to a regular customer service rep, they might not know.

I am assuming BellSouth is your phone company. They're better equipped than an independent to handle some of this stuff. They should have at least one person who specializes in this kind of thing.

There are a ton of ways to investigate the offending company. Sometimes you can even just right-click somewhere on a web page, and within the tangle of HTML code there's a company name and/or address.

[OneGrassRoot]

21. I'm able to find addresses....

how legit they are is another story. One is in Tuscon, the other in Torrance, CA, and that's from doing just what you said. I think she's just going to have to change her number. There are tons of complaints filed online about this company and its various websites. The reverse 800 came back as no record.

Thanks again for your help. :)

[Ohio Joe]

10. Have her take orders

Years ago, a local pizza place accidentally published my grandmothers number instead of their own in a phone book ad. So, anytime someone called for pizza she took their order and told them to come get it in ten minutes.

[EFerrari]

12. LOL!

:rofl:

[OneGrassRoot]

18. Ha!

:spray:

[iamthebandfanman]

13. id pretend i was the company

and say outrageous things.

eventually id proably just change my number

but not after ruining any and all reputation the company had ... lol

[radfringe]

16. similar to what happen with a new restaurant that opened in my old town

phone number in book was wrong - transposition error. we kept getting calls from people who wanted to make reservations or place an order to go, etc.

complained to phone company - they would change our number for a fee. restaurant wouldn't help us with getting things squared with the phone company.

so I started doing take out orders, taking reservations - giving people great deals on dinners, 2-for-1 deals. after a week of people showing up at restaurant and having a fit because their food wasn't ready and at the price they expected - the restaurant joined forces with me and we got phone number changed for free

I suggest your mom take orders - let the people calling know that they are the 100th caller and their order is free!!!!

[OneGrassRoot]

19. LOL...

that's what someone suggested upthread.

The difference is this is a scam company....there is no legit location, nor legitimate phone number even. Crazy.

I'll keep your approach in mind should that ever happen to me! :)