Getting stray random texts... for ESCORTS!

[RoguePC]

Help! I'm getting all kinds of stray texts from randoms.  Lots of them.  Mostly from people contacting local escorts, but some other locals too. It isn't spam and I can converse with anyone if I choose to. I've also done everything the chatbot suggests, restarting phone, pulling SIM, checking compatibility etc (mind you, there's zero instructions on how to "verify your APN" .. *arg*). This is beyond frustrating.

[RoguePC]

So it's been a week-ish since I contacted the Moderator Team and .. zero response.  Very disappointed there, for sure.  In the meantime I've been clicking the "delete and report as junk" link on my iPhone with each and every stray text.  After doing this hundreds of times now, it seems to finally be slowing the amount of texts I'm getting.  4 days ago it slowed to just a few per day... haven't had any at all for 2 days now - that's a first!  Could be a coincidence, but maybe this will actually work?  Will update as time goes on. 

[kav2001c]

I actually find the wrong numbers are worse

Since one collection agency sells the number to the next one so it can be ongoing forever

The rare time I actually dealt with a legit company they vanish the second you tell them you have no interest in paying their fraudulant bill

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@stonechucker wrote:

@kav2001c, it's been dealt with.  I know my rights, and I've completed it successfully.

The call was not for me, it was a previous subscriber with my NEW NUMBER.

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[stonechucker]

@kav2001c, it's been dealt with.  I know my rights, and I've completed it successfully.

The call was not for me, it was a previous subscriber with my NEW NUMBER.

[kav2001c]

@stonechucker 

A good way to get harrasment to stop is to force them to corespond with you (assuming you dont enjoy making them mad)

You legally can force them to send you paper letters and not call you

The second it starts costing them money they stop right away since most of these slimeball collection agencies are buying old debts for pennies hoping to strike it rich with some sucker

Failing that you can report them to government as well (if you had no prior business arrangement with them and they call you they are also in violation of do not call lists which carry heavy fines for these small agencies)

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@stonechucker wrote:

I've recently set up a backup phone number, and the only calls I've been receiving are from a collection agency for a previous subscriber of my number.  I've contacted them, told them I do not know who this person is and that the number has been assigned to me.  It took 3 or 4 attempts, but they have now removed the number from their dialling system, and I no longer get called.

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[kav2001c]

I have had one number for about a decade now

Still get collection calls looking for someone else

If I am bored I sometimes play along

It can be quite funny, go see Youtube for some examples

Also although we in Canada do not do this, many countries (most of Europe) charge a termination fee (eg person dialing you would pay the roaming charges / long distance charges for you being in another country, in this case Canada) so that kind of call is not surprising at all

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@Psygineer wrote:

I also frequently get calls from collection agencies looking for some guy named Randle. I've had the number for over a year now and no amount of blocking has stopped it.

As for Randle related calls, I get all sorts of vailed threats about pay my bill or else. I tell them I am not Randle, that this is not Randle's number, but they keep insisting I am Randle. 

Mine is usually Americans getting mad at me for telling them they called Canada and some how it is my fault "This better not appear as a long distance charge or else" as if I have the ability to tell their phone provider not to bill them. I tried the whole not answering thing but then they tend to leave me angry voice mails about lack of client support.

[Anonymous]

 @RoguePC 

This has been a fascinating thread to read. And interesting results in your own problem solving. Please do update us with any details you get on a fix. And any further problem solving you do.

[RoguePC]

Multiple prior users?  Interesting thought.  It could certainly explain the texts I'm consistently getting for one particular escort.  But it doesn't account for all the others - as they are all so random and varied.   

Interestingly, during the first 30 days I've had this number, I didn't get a single errant text.  Also, I've gotten hundreds of texts by now over the course of a month and have yet to receive a single wrong# phone call.  Not impossible I suppose, but seems very odd.  

Even more interesting, I've now gotten a response from over a dozen of the errant texts as to what number they were trying to get hold of.  Each number texting me is unique and each number they give back to me (the one they were trying to reach) is somehow different too.  Crazy!  I shouldn't even get these, yet somehow, I am. 

Obviously, yes - I have the option to change my number.  But to say that it isn't a Public Mobile issue - in this particular situation anyway - is letting them off the hook too easy.  Something is definitely haywire here.  I do appreciate everyone's input on the matter though.  

[stonechucker]

@RoguePC When a number is released by the subscriber, it sits back at the original carrier for a minimum of 90 days before it can be released into the general pool of numbers for the carrier to provide for new activations.  It is possible that the number has been in use by multiple users prior to you being assigned the number (as selected).

This can not be a Public Mobile issue, it's simply a 'block each wrong number' process on your device.  If you do not wish to change the number that your choice, put up with the problems you're experiencing.  If you want to change the number, change the number.  Take any number that is suitable for your usage.  

I've recently set up a backup phone number, and the only calls I've been receiving are from a collection agency for a previous subscriber of my number.  I've contacted them, told them I do not know who this person is and that the number has been assigned to me.  It took 3 or 4 attempts, but they have now removed the number from their dialling system, and I no longer get called.

[CellGirl]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@RoguePC wrote:

Yes, I think you're right.  It seems a shame to have to change my number again (my friends and business associates are going to think I'm looney and unorganized or something).  But it may be my only choice.

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Start a blog and "out" the number of the escort questioners. Keep yourself anonymous. Wouldn't it be funny if one of the askers showed up as one of your contacts.

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@Anonymous 

hahahaha 

[RoguePC]

I had originally thought about it being someones old number, but unfortunately that idea doesn't hold up. Whenever I've asked what number the person is trying to text, they each give me a different number (ie. it's not mine) and not even close.  If they were all trying to contact the same number... then ok, that would make sense.  But that's not happening.  Even some of the random texters I've communicated with think it's totally bizarre, they can't grasp how I'm even getting their texts. 

I'm sure Public Mobile will argue with me, saying this isn't possible on their network - but I can come to no other conclusion.

Yes, I could change my number - thanks for offering to assist.  But really, I shouldn't have to - especially as it's going to be a big headache for me (work-wise, not setup wise... long story).  

[Annick_B]

Hi,

As far as I understand your number could have been previously in use by another person and hence it might be the case. I do not see it as a problem from Public Mobile. You always have the option of changing your number from your Public Mobile Serve Account.

Please let me know if you need assistance with this.

Thanks,

Annick

[ShawnC13]

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@RoguePC wrote:

Yep.  Nada.  Google shows nothing at all.  My number is really new too - got it in May and have only given it out to a few important work associates so far.  Also, if it was posted somewhere as a joke, it wouldn't account for all the non-escort, everyday type of texts I'm also getting.  I'm 100% convinced this is a problem with Public Mobile itself. 

I've contacted the moderator team here now, so we'll see if that goes anywhere.  I won't hold my breath though.

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So if you need to a number change won't be that big of an issue.  Easy to explain and not a lot of people to contact to update them with your new number.

[RoguePC]

Yep.  Nada.  Google shows nothing at all.  My number is really new too - got it in May and have only given it out to a few important work associates so far.  Also, if it was posted somewhere as a joke, it wouldn't account for all the non-escort, everyday type of texts I'm also getting.  I'm 100% convinced this is a problem with Public Mobile itself. 

I've contacted the moderator team here now, so we'll see if that goes anywhere.  I won't hold my breath though.

[GinYVR]

@RoguePCHave you tried googling your number to see if anyone has posted your number on any of the messsage boards as a prank? Not that you can do anything about it now, but at least you know why.

[LovesToPM]

Good luck and please let us know.

Hope you turn off your phone at night or at least put it on vibrate only.

[RoguePC]

Hmmm... I still don't think that explains it really.  Doesn't add up to me. 

But thanks, I guess I'll try contacting a moderator and see what they say.  

[LovesToPM]

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@RoguePC wrote:

The numbers I'm getting back are all different - and only one was even remotely close to mine.

Hmm.. I never thought about text forwarding.  But if that was the case, then wouldn't all the texts be escort related then?  Cause I'm also getting random everyday type stuff and long book-like stories.  Definitely not texts that would be directed to an escort.   

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Technically multiple numbers can be forwarded to the same number, possibly to yours.

With an old neighbour, my home phone used to ring occasionally when he was getting a call. I would pick up the receiver and hear him talking on the phone.

I have heard of phone wires getting crossed, but your case takes the cake. It won't hurt to contact Moderator_team.

[RoguePC]

The numbers I'm getting back are all different - and only one was even remotely close to mine.

Hmm.. I never thought about text forwarding.  But if that was the case, then wouldn't all the texts be escort related then?  Cause I'm also getting random everyday type stuff and long book-like stories.  Definitely not texts that would be directed to an escort.   

[LovesToPM]

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@RoguePC wrote:

Good idea.  However, I already did that with this number... and so was very surprised when I encountered all the problems I'm having.  Rather than my number being posted somewhere online, I think something else is going on, within Public Mobile's network.  In fact, I've queried a quite a few of the people who've texted me - and none of them are giving me my own number back.  

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Hmmmm. Strange indeed. What numbers are they giving back and how many different ones are there?

There is something called text forwarding. I'm thinking Public Mobile would not be involved.

If you already contacted Moderator_team, please share their feedback with us.

[RoguePC]

Good idea.  However, I already did that with this number... and so was very surprised when I encountered all the problems I'm having.  Rather than my number being posted somewhere online, I think something else is going on, within Public Mobile's network.  In fact, I've queried a quite a few of the people who've texted me - and none of them are giving me my own number back.  

[Psygineer]

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@LovesToPM wrote:

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@RoguePC wrote:

Yup.  I've had some very "interesting" texts come through to me.  Most are just "you available?", but some are quite... uh, ... detailed. 

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@RoguePC There's no need for details. This is a family friendly site.

When selecting your next new number, try searching it online before accepting it.
You won't avoid every problem, but you can avoid getting a previously heavily advertised number.

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That is actually a good idea! To add to this, try a few common miss types of it as well, that may save you from your own Bluecross/Blueshield calls.

[LovesToPM]

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@RoguePC wrote:

Yup.  I've had some very "interesting" texts come through to me.  Most are just "you available?", but some are quite... uh, ... detailed. 

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@RoguePC There's no need for details. This is a family friendly site.

When selecting your next new number, try searching it online before accepting it.
You won't avoid every problem, but you can avoid getting a previously heavily advertised number.

[RossN]

@RoguePC everyone is getting a little off topic about phone related subject matter I would say

[RoguePC]

Yup.  I've had some very "interesting" texts come through to me.  Most are just "you available?", but some are quite... uh, ... detailed. 

[ShawnC13]

Ok this thread has gone beyond the helping of the OP maybe take the topic to the Lounge to continue it

[RoguePC]

... interesting

[RoguePC]

omg  Haha, someone's got a devious mind!

[Psygineer]

I get calls for Bluecross/Blueshield of Massachusetts all the time. I also frequently get calls from collection agencies looking for some guy named Randle. I've had the number for over a year now and no amount of blocking has stopped it. Had I not had 1000 business cards printed with this cell number I would have changed it a year ago! I was pretty new in my job and didn't want work to think they wasted money printing those business cards so I just rolled with it. Yours at least sounds like it might be fun! Mine is usually Americans getting mad at me for telling them they called Canada and some how it is my fault "This better not appear as a long distance charge or else" as if I have the ability to tell their phone provider not to bill them. I tried the whole not answering thing but then they tend to leave me angry voice mails about lack of client support. As for Randle related calls, I get all sorts of vailed threats about pay my bill or else. I tell them I am not Randle, that this is not Randle's number, but they keep insisting I am Randle. 

Taking a new phone number is kind of like playing Russian Roulette. Most of the time it won't hurt, but occassionally the chamber pointed at you is loaded.

[Barth]

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@kav2001c wrote:

Paying for / providing services is just sick

 The biggest lie of all, [Moran] says, is that women can choose to be in prostitution.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/13/books/review/paid-for-by-rachel-moran.html

[Anonymous]

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@kav2001c wrote:

@Anonymous 

I would hope you are joking as well

Paying for / providing services is just sick

At least here in Canada we are making the laws have more teeth to punish those who do this

C36 is very heavy handed compared to the old laws

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I am most-definitely NOT joking on that post. The old adage...the oldest profession. I think it should be normalized and regulated and the income taxed. No coercion. No drugs. No trafficing. All in a safe manner for all parties. I think the stigma of the activities on all sides should be removed.

Oh you're in that business eh? Yeah my sister enjoys using those services on occasion. Making some good money are you? That's swell. Anywho...how 'bout them Leafs?