Fredrickson International harrassing automated message phone calls

anewman · 7 July 2011 at 2:18PM

Hi everyone,

Firstly I have no debt, and am not the person they have named in their automated message. But thought it appropriate to post here, as it is harassment by phone regarding an alleged debt.

I have recently started receiving calls from Fredrickson International. I have learned by searching that they are a debt collection agency. They often do not mention a name in their messages, but did on one occasion, and it's not my name. These messages are in an automated computer voice (text to speech) and if not answered end up left on the answering machine. I add their numbers to the incoming call barr list on my Panasonic phone, but it seems they use a new number each time. They call from various different numbers. They have also sent an SMS message. Messages below...

Receive this one most.

This is an urgent message, please contact Fredrickson International on 02031478164 quoting reference number XXXXXXX thank you.

Received this longer one with name included once.

Hello, this is Fredrickson International, calling with an important message for Mr (name indeterminate, sounds like Grunderwood). Please can you call us back on 08458396014 between 8am and 9pm monday to friday, and 8am and 4pm saturday, quoting reference number XXXXXXX as soon as possible. That's 08458396014 quoting reference number XXXXXXX.

Numbers used so far include

01204770420
Various "out of area" ones
02030608420
02392386688
02087599577

SMS came from
08443585861

Any magic way to make them get lost? Ignore or call them back and waste their time?

KingElvis · 7 July 2011 at 2:47PM

If you totally ignore them they'll get bored I reckon.

It's like fishing really.

david39 · 7 July 2011 at 2:51PM

I would turn off your answering service as the computer that is sending the messages is registering it as an answered call so it will keep up the pressure.

If you have CLI and do not answer the calls, they will eventually stop.

Gordon_Hose · 7 July 2011 at 3:35PM

If you don't owe them money why not just pick up the phone and tell them that?

FireWyrm · 7 July 2011 at 4:12PM

Send them a cease and desist letter. Return their letters 'not known' and then get nasty if they still wont leave you alone.

anewman · 7 July 2011 at 4:24PM

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

If you don't owe them money why not just pick up the phone and tell them that?

That will cost me money, and if they insist on calling me with a computer message and no human contact then that's their fault.

FireWyrm wrote: »

Send them a cease and desist letter. Return their letters 'not known' and then get nasty if they still wont leave you alone.

No letters received. They have the wrong number anyway (or someone's old number from years back), and suspect whatever address they have doesn't match.

Gordon_Hose · 7 July 2011 at 4:29PM

anewman wrote: »

That will cost me money, and if they insist on calling me with a computer message and no human contact then that's their fault.

If they are calling you, how will that cost you money?

The call switches to an automated message when you don't pick up, that way the agents can move on and not waste time speaking to answer phones.

If you picked up you'd get a human, and then you can tell them you aren't the person they seek and they'll stop.

I don't understand why anyone, who doesn't owe money, would let a DCA keep calling and calling, when all you need to do is speak to them. Yeah, I can understand you wanting to avoid them if they were after you for a debt, but if you don't owe anything then the easiest thing to do is to tell them that.

tia76 · 7 July 2011 at 4:43PM

If I were in your situation, I would either call them back or write to them to explain the person they are trying to contact is not know on your number. Otherwise, they will carry on and on.....

Ruth_MSE_Gee · 3 August 2011 at 10:07AM

I have just had a call from them. The call is an automated SMS so you can't answer.
I won't ring the number they quote as they don't say the charges for doing so.
I have had this telephone number for less than a month!! I don't owe any money to anyone and no one should have this number.
I have sent them an email...I will be interested in the reply.

I do hate this though. Why can't they just phone and tell you why they are ringing???

I must admit to being quite shaken by it!

Gordon_Hose · 3 August 2011 at 10:13AM

They don't tell you the reason because it makes it more likely the person they are texting will call out of curiosity. And once they have you on the phone they can throw a pack of lies at you, then make ([empty] threats in the hope it'll scare you into paying. They don't care if you owe the money or not.

daleski75 · 4 December 2011 at 6:14PM

Sorry to dig up an old thread but this company is hassling me now so far they have phoned 3 times on a Sunday of all days and I don't owe any company any money whatsoever, tried to call them back and it's constantly engaged.

Fredrickson International harrassing automated message phone calls

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