Posted by JanelWI on 1/6/07 11:33am
Msg #169624

Advice on possible harassment??

I have been getting a ton of bogus calls, from non English speaking individuals to people wanting to contact rapper 50 cent!

So I got tired of it and had some down time from signings and I did a search on my cell phone number and came up with the answer to my problem. A certain individual I used to know is posting my business contact numbers in response to questions like:

Rapper 50 cent Phone Number?
Need a phone number so I can call about billing? (This is in reference to a bill me later account)

And.....the most damaging I feel is this one:

I need help getting my cousin Jose in!? (In reference to getting someone across the US border illegally. This person gave out my business phone, fax and cell phone!

He did not disguise who he is, so I know who it is. Can I consider this harassment? I am worried about my Notary Commission, as a Notary public I do not want my contact information associated with the possibility of helping individuals cross the border into the US illegally!!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions on who or what agency may be a good starting point for contact? There are so many facets of this that disturb me I could go on all day.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Reply by Teddog/CO on 1/6/07 11:55am
Msg #169627

I'm no expert but first one I would call is the phone and cell companies. Then contact the local Authorities. Also check your credit reports and tag it (Permisson needed before any info given) Before you become a victim of ID theft. Hope this helps.

Good Luck

Reply by Pamela on 1/6/07 12:47pm
Msg #169631

Janel Re: Advice on possible harassment??

There are many avenues to consider, I've listed a few to contact:
(not necessarily in this order).

First of all, immediately contact the telephone company (ies)
to let them know of the situation.

Secondly, contact an attorney or other legal agency,
(which offer free consultation) to advise you of possible legal remedies.

Third, contact the police department and issue a complaint.

Fourth, contact your state's Attorney General Office:

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/index.asp
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/map/wi.htm



Pam

Reply by Mary/VA on 1/6/07 12:50pm
Msg #169632

Call the FCC

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 1/6/07 1:00pm
Msg #169634

Was your name given out? Or just your phone/fax numbers?

If it is only your phone numbers, I would do the following:

--- Change my numbers (this is probably your best move)
--- Contact the police and file a complaint (not sure what laws are in your State, but here it may be a
crime if you can prove what person actually did it.)

If your name was involved, I would do the following, in addition to the above:

--- Contact my commissioning authority (so that if any complaints about your alleged services come in,
they'll disregard it based on fraud [or whatever])
--- Ask my commissioning authority if I can change my name (as registered) to a different variation
than that contained on my notary seals, etc.
--- Monitor my credit reports to make sure nothing else is going on.
--- Keep my friends close but my enemies closer.

Reply by Nick_OH on 1/6/07 1:32pm
Msg #169647

Re: Advice on possible harassment?? Call a "Hit Man"! n/m

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 1/6/07 2:16pm
Msg #169657

Changing phone numbers = loss of business

That's probably the best quick solution, but it will mean at least a temporary loss of business while she gets word out to as many as possible what her new number is. If that route is taken, I'd calculate the difference in income from previous months compared to the after-new-number months and sue the scumbag for the decrease in income, backing it up with names of agencies and title companies that tried to contact me for a closing, the date they attempted contact, and the jobs lost, whenever possible to learn that information.
Spreading the word about a new number is a logistical nightmare. I stopped working part-time for a local company about 4 years ago, yet several agencies had my email and phone number at that company in their systems as my "primary email" and "first phone number to call" long after I left there. There are so many different databases in different divisions at the large companies that getting your new info into all the databases is a long-term project.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/6/07 2:39pm
Msg #169664

Re: Changing phone numbers = loss of business

I am thinking about changing my phone number for a similar reason. I have found that when I get such calls and telemarketers and such my caller ID reads private, so I have made a decision to let the private calls to to my voice mail and answer the calls that show a number. I may loose a little business perhaps, but nothing compared to the hassle and lost business I am afraid that will occur if I change. Also it would seem to me that changing the number would only be a temporary solution. If someone really wants make harassing calls, then they will. The best solution may be a legal one.

Reply by JanelWI on 1/6/07 9:57pm
Msg #169715

Re: Changing phone numbers = loss of business

Yes, I have considered this and it would only be temporary until my new numbers are posted on my website and on other forums and then those would be given out. All the suggestions are great! Thank you all for your kind responses. I intend to pursue them all.....well with the exception of the hit man!:-)

I can prove who it is as this person did not even try to hide his identity. Plus plenty of the other posts by this person give away his identity in very clear light. I intend to pursue not in a reactionary fashion, but in a credible one, sustained by the evidence and past history in order to protect my information. Thanks again for all your great suggestions.

Reply by Life Saving Services - Doug on 1/6/07 10:58pm
Msg #169722

Re: Changing phone numbers = loss of business

Try http://prepaidlegal.com/hub/dougbeaver This sounds like Identity Theft and the need for Legal Services. These guys are cheap and operate month to month ( no contracts ) so if they do not perform dump them.

In Real Estate we are constantly advizing people to seek the help of an attorney this is why I refer them.

Reply by Gary_CA on 1/6/07 11:43pm
Msg #169728

He could probably use his nose to post your number...

on the internet, but it'd be so slow that he couldn't do much damage...

go see him face to face with a sledge hammer.


No fingers, no typing, no problem.