Should being able to purchase people's unlisted numbers be outlawed?

1. 38

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   Should being able to purchase people's unlisted numbers be outlawed?
   
   I have a relative that has a history of stalking. This person is able to purchase my unlisted number no matter how much I change it. He can get access to all of my private info. numbers, address etc.  Every couple of years he does it just to taunt me. Should it be illegal for companies to be able to sell this information to just anyone? Do you have any idea how easy it is to find out anything about anyone for only $20 bucks? Is that not scary? Do you miss the days unlisted meant just that?

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2. 75

   CraftytotheCoreposted 10 years ago

   Christin, I totally feel your pain.  Just recently I received a call from a debt collector.  I thought it was a wrong number but they asked specifically for a relative of mine who has also stalked me in the past with hate mail, rumors, and FB posts.  I'm not the only one that this person has harassed.  The company had my personal information and claim that he used it to sign up for a credit card that he hasn't paid on.   My reaction was, how do you not check the info someone gives you before handing our credit cards! (If I didn't know any better, I'd think we were related to the same person!)
   
   I changed my number once before because I had gotten a number with a cell company.  The number was the prior number of a missing person.  You wouldn't believe the phone calls I was getting every moment of the day.  I finally called the cell company and said I need an un-recycled number.  That worked until someone passed my phone number on....I've only ever given it out to about 3 family members, doctors, and the school. 
   
   A lot of this information that is available to the public shouldn't be so.  Just like online bullying.  There aren't enough laws.  There isn't enough protection for people.

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      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      oh wow, that's eerie with the missing person's number. sad. I'm with you it's just too easy to get information and fraud is rampant because of it.

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3. 49

   jonathanagoposted 10 years ago

   well, this is the thing about unlisted number. It doesn't remain unlisted, whenever you use that number for your bank accounts, subscription services, supermarket discount card, and etc. Therefore, that information was sold legally through the proper marketing channels. But, if you have proof that your phone company sold your unlisted number to third parties, then you are paying $3-$5 a month for unlisted service and they are violating the services agreement that you are paying for. Therefore, you can file fraud charges against the phone company. BUT, your unlisted number will not remain out of sight, if you use it as a main source of contact with companies. You will need to ask, "Is my information being sold to third parties and is there a way to opt-out of having my information sold.?" You want to keep your number unlisted and out of sight and mind from the general public, then have one number that acts as your general contact information (for people who you don't mind having that number and anyone.) And a number that only your trusted friends and relatives have. I suggest getting a google voice number, it is free and you can forward your incoming calls to your primary number. If you don't have to have the number forwarded, then you can receive email through your smartphone or through the web platform they have. I have a similar set up for myself and it works great.....

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      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Which I think poses another question on the ethics of some marketing companies - but that's a whole other subject . Thanks for the advice, I'll look into Google voice, my skype number/service has been less than stellar.

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4. 88

   MizBejabbersposted 10 years ago

   I was about to say "He double hockey sticks NO", they shouldn't give out unlisted numbers until I read Jonathan's reply. I never thought of that. You really are required to give out your phone number every time you apply for credit or even join a website. It is getting to where it is the same for your email. Sometimes the email blank will say "optional", in which case you may decline. However, anywhere you list your email, they can back research for your phone no., too. There is no such thing as privacy. Uncle Sam and his minions are watching you.
   The ad at the bottom of this page on my computer is for one of these companies that trace your personal information. Ironic, isn't it. No, I forgot, it's free enterprize.

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      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, there is an ethical line I think that was crossed a long time ago and it's very unfortunate. Now we have Google street view - just incase your stalker want's a birds eye view of what your home looks like. sigh.

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   2. 88

      MizBejabbersposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, yes, I was appalled to find that it wasn't a photo of my home that was released publicly such as the real estate mls. They took their own photo.

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5. 40

   Borsiaposted 10 years ago

   Well it certainly should be for a phone company that you request, and are often charged for, an unlisted number.
   But as others have said your number is out there in so many places that there is no way to control it. My answer is to have multiple numbers. I no longer have a land line so I only use cell#s and my Skype #. I have a cell that I use and one that I don't.
   Back in the days of landlines even though my number was unlisted, and then the phone company really wouldn't give it out, I used my answering machine as a screener.
   My message was simple "Hello you have reached me, I screen ALL calls, if you don't know who I am then I don't want to talk to you. If you do know me then there are only 2 possibilities 1 I'm not home or very busy or 2 I don't want to talk to you. It's your guess which one fits; if you think you are a 1 please leave your name and number."
   It worked very well but really bugged my mother,,, lol
   But in today's cyber world avoiding stalkers is near impossible so all you can do is have multiple numbers and only give the real one to trusted friends, family and financial institutions. At least at my bank I have a note added to my file that says never to give any of my personal info to anyone without a warrant. I gave my CC company the same instructions and so far it has never happened.
   I'm also a huge believer in the "do not call" list. All of my numbers are on it and I haven't had any problems.

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      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Unfortunately, even a number on the do not call list can be bought by someone. I was on said list and he found me anyway. I love your answering machine message lol

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      Borsiaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      do not call only applies to telemarketers not stalkers.
      Like I said get a number that you ONLY give to trusted people and don't use or post it anywhere. If he gets it then you have someone on the list who shouldn't be.

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