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Need Help! - Someone is using my Phone Number

by Todd Pedersen
13 replies
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Hello Warriors,

I need some advice. It would seem someone (or company) is somehow making my phone number show up in peoples caller ID's and calling thousands of people a day. I have been getting 100's of calls a day from people wanting to know why I called them.

Does anyone know how this is possible? How can I remedy it short of changing my number?

I have a really cool phone number (not 867-5309 lol) and don't want to change it.

Thanks
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    I don't know if that is even really possible. Discuss it with your phone company though. And SOME people hijack lines intentionally or unintentionally. I have had it happen to me PERSONALLY in some way maybe 5 times! It has happened with ME, and places I have been when they, or someone else, gets a new line and they somehow cross things.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Todd Pedersen
    It is a prepaid cell phone that I have had for about 5 years now. About the only lead I have gotten was that someone may using Magickjack in some way.
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Todd Pedersen View Post

      It is a prepaid cell phone that I have had for about 5 years now. About the only lead I have gotten was that someone may using Magickjack in some way.
      The idea of it being a cell phone changes things a bit. Check your phone bill to make sure you aren't CHARGED for the calls. If you threw away/donated an old phone, someone could maybe use THAT. Also, I HAVE heard of THAT info being cloned. I'm sure that, if it were, you would be charged.

      BTW I DOUBT this is regular ID theft because the LAST thing such thieves want to do is let you know that they are doing it. It is better to pick a random or non existant number.

      Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
      Originally Posted by Todd Pedersen View Post

      It is a prepaid cell phone that I have had for about 5 years now. About the only lead I have gotten was that someone may using Magickjack in some way.
      Is the pre-paid phone by chance Net-10? If so, give up...resistance is futile...

      Magicjack will not be much help either...

      Has anyone who received the call tried to *89 them, (or whatever it is) to return their call? I wonder if the redial goes to the actual number dialed, or the number displayed?
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    It's actually pretty simple to spoof caller ID numbers. In the US, though, it is also against the law.

    You'll somehow have to find out who is actually doing it, though. Maybe one of your irate callers can be calmed down enough to tell you. Then you can call the FBI in your area, because it is actually a federal crime. See Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 (2010; 111th Congress S. 30) - GovTrack.us
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    • Profile picture of the author KimW
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      It's actually pretty simple to spoof caller ID numbers. In the US, though, it is also against the law.

      You'll somehow have to find out who is actually doing it, though. Maybe one of your irate callers can be calmed down enough to tell you. Then you can call the FBI in your area, because it is actually a federal crime. See Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 (2010; 111th Congress S. 30) - GovTrack.us
      It must be easy,almost all the collection agencies do it.
      call back most numbers that show up on American caller ID and over 90% will say you have reached a non working number.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by KimW View Post

        It must be easy,almost all the collection agencies do it.
        call back most numbers that show up on American caller ID and over 90% will say you have reached a non working number.
        That could be because of whatever they have on the other side. You never know. 911, for example, is supposed to work EVEN on some phones where there is no service.

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Jocky
    It seems someone is hacking your number. May be for your personal data or using your number for their criminal activities. Possibilities are there to hack your number. Who knows? Even your friends may also try this for fun. Better to complaint to your service provider before they start utilizing your number for criminal purposes. Why should you change your mobile number? Complaint to your service provider.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ninja Ana
    Probably you're a victim of identity theft, using your phone number and all your personal details. Better to report it your phone service provider and as a legal remedy execute an affidavit to that effect so you are protected. We don't know if your name and all your details are being use for illegal or illicit transactions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Todd Pedersen
    Thanks for all the info and help!! I really appreciate it. My phone # is 234-5678 so you can see where someone may input that number in there scheme somehow. I will try giving my service provider (Net10) a call.
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  • Profile picture of the author Todd Pedersen
    I do Have Net10. Thanks for your insight about *89. I will ask one of my 100-150 calls a day. You see what I am facing.
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    • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
      Originally Posted by Todd Pedersen View Post

      I do Have Net10. Thanks for your insight about *89. I will ask one of my 100-150 calls a day. You see what I am facing.
      Hooboy! You would have to luck out and get an engineer (try to get to a 'tech' asap - you might even try to go to a tracphone tech, they seem to be more adept) that actually knows what they are doing with net 10 - everything they do is scripted on their computer, and even if you have all the info needed, and troubleshooting case # (I was a network communications tech, so I try to cover the bases) in hand - they will ask you if you all the repeat questions in a rote manner...best of luck in your quest. Pack a lunch

      *there is one other thing I just thought of...if you have recently changed phones or not, you might have them cross ref. your porting and see if someone did a duplicate port?
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  • Profile picture of the author Todd Pedersen
    Hooboy! You would have to luck out and get an engineer (try to get to a 'tech' asap - you might even try to go to a tracphone tech, they seem to be more adept) that actually knows what they are doing with net 10 - everything they do is scripted on their computer, and even if you have all the info needed, and troubleshooting case # (I was a network communications tech, so I try to cover the bases) in hand - they will ask you if you all the repeat questions in a rote manner...best of luck in your quest. Pack a lunch

    *there is one other thing I just thought of...if you have recently changed phones or not, you might have them cross ref. your porting and see if someone did a duplicate port?
    Thank you so much for your insight. I very impressed with your knowledge on the subject! I have a feeeling you do some websites (or should) on the inner workings of the cell phone industry.

    Thanks again!
    Todd
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