virgin media and recycled landline numbers

KirstyO

Hi all,
I'm interested to know if anyone has experience with virgin media recycling old landline Numbers? I moved into my current property just before Christmas, and got my landline and broadband set up in the new year. Since I got my landline I haven't used it, I only got it as the broadband with line rental was on promotion and cheaper than the landline-free Internet access. I have given my landline number to my parents as an emergency measure, but nobody else as I would rather use my mobile. I've started getting answerphone messages from companies that I've never heard of. Upon searching them online, most seem to be debt collection agencies or financial companies. I have had debt issues in the past but these have been resolved for over a year.

One of them left a name on the voice mail, someone I've never heard of, not the previous owners of the house either. So I'm guessing I've been given a recycled phone number. Is there anything I can do? Or just keep ignoring?

Tia

scones

I had exactly the same with a BT line. I lived in an area where there was a real shortage of phone numbers so I guess they were forced into reusing them more quickly than would be ideal.

There's nothing that much you can do - other than request a change of number. Most companies make a small charge for this, but if you complain that you're getting a lot of nuisance calls, they may waive it.

LazyTyper

Nothing wrong with 'recycling' old telephone numbers. Needs to be done.

I'd contact Virgin Media and ask if they will renumber your line. Usually there is a small charge but they might do it for free as a goodwill gesture.

Owain_Moneysaver

It might be that someone has given your current number, either knowing it's yours or chosen at random, on fraudulent applications.

KirstyO

Thanks folks. I doubt anyone would know it's mine...except Virgin and my Dad, nobody knows it! But it's possible it's been given out as a fake number by someone - it's probably only one digit different to someone elses number!